The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team has started incorporating the Skydio X10 as its primary operational drone. The AI-enabled drone has a 40-minute flight time and can reach a max flight speed of 45 miles per hour.
“Ensuring our teams are outfitted with cutting-edge technology solutions which we can rapidly deploy in support of our public safety partners is one of the many ways we demonstrate our lasting commitment to supporting first responders,” said Cory Davis, vice president of Verizon Frontline.
Chris Sanders, a senior manager for the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team, explained the X10 is an AI-enabled drone capable of enhanced capabilities, including full or partial autonomous flight.
“It will allow us to stream video to the agencies we fly for by sharing a link, which means that anyone in the organization will be able to see the stream, and it makes it easier for us because there’s less equipment needed to operate the drone,” said Sanders.
Details and Use of the Skydio X10 Drone
The Skydio X10, which will replace a number of the Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team’s current drones, is an advanced small uncrewed aircraft system, or sUAS. It can be used for a multitude of operations, including search and rescue missions, thermal mapping, and overall situational awareness during a crisis.
It can power up in less than 40 seconds and can reach a max flight speed of 45 miles per hour. The new drone has a 40-minute flight time.
Payload Capabilities of the Skydio X10
The main payload is a sensor package consisting of multiple cameras, including telephoto, narrow, and radiometric thermal cameras for use in low-light environments.
Additionally, Frontline said the Skydio X10 is the only drone on the market with NightSense, enabling autonomous flight, including obstacle avoidance, in zero light conditions. This helps ensure that crisis response can continue uninterrupted 24 hours a day, according to Frontline.
“We designed the X10 to be the most advanced autonomous drone ever and it's incredible - even humbling - to see it in the hands of the Verizon Frontline team and being used to help first responders when it matters most, said Callan Carpenter, chief revenue officer at Skydio.
The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team now uses the Skydio X10 drone.Verizon Frontline video screenshot
Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team Supports Agencies
The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team provides on-demand, emergency assistance during crisis situations to government agencies and emergency responders, at no cost to the supported agencies, on a 24/7 basis. Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team members set up portable cell sites, Wi-Fi hotspots, charging stations, and other Verizon Frontline devices and solutions that enable communications and/or boost network performance.
