Another smart city joined by HEISHA DStation drone dock, CybridThrust, Citymesh, and FlytBase
Date: August 3, 2022
Location: Genk, Belgium
Application: Smart city
Coverage: 15 kilometers
Device: Heisha D135 drone dock+DJI Matrice 300
Software: FlytNow+Citymesh
After the smart city program in Qingdao, our D135 drone docks are deployed again in another smart city project in Genk, Belgium. It’s a joint collaboration project that supports by multiple forces, including the hardware part: DJI Matrice 300 and HEISHA D135 drone dock, and the software part: Citymesh’s private secured data transformation technology and FlytNow remotely controlled BVLOS operation system. Cybrid Thrust, the exclusive distributor of HEISHA in Belgium and Germany, is in charge of the drone dock providing after-sale support.
The first pilot phase starts on August 3, 2022, and is almost complete now, it is used by the Fire Brigade Zone East Limburg for the fire and emergency response.
“We are very excited to be able to realize this project together with the city of Genk and the emergency services from the region. The project is a unique combination of technologies that will shape the future of our society. By combining drones, AI, and private networks, we can provide emergency services with unique insights without the need for additional personnel. This is an important first step that will undoubtedly have a follow-up”, says Mitch De Geest, CEO of Citymesh.
This smart city program is a combination of speed. M300 drones and D135 drone docks work together to build an autonomous drone network with the participation of the FlytNow operational system, which requires the least human resources input, yet outputs the most rapid real-time video streaming under Citymesh’s 5G communication support. Smooth, instant and secured images and videos are sent to the Citymesh Command & Control Center.
How does it work?
Currently, this autonomous inspection solution works in the daytime. The inspection mission is scheduled and can be taken autonomously every day without anyone giving a single click. One drone dock covers a 5km range, 15km in total.
For emergent situations, once the control center received the flight demand, it takes about two minutes for the pilot to plan the flight routine and set the geo-fence, then start to fly the drone remotely via a computer.
“Using a drone in emergencies allows us to assess the situation before we arrive on the scene. This saves us crucial minutes that could potentially save lives, and gives us more insight into how best to approach the incident and conduct our intervention.”
Quote from Dominic Knapen, Zone Commander of the East Limburg Fire Brigade
During a firefighting scene, every second is valuable to lives. This autonomous drone system earns more than a few minutes to the ambulancemen compared with the traditional way. The flight mission is supported by the FLytNow software, an automated BVLOS operation system, the drone will automatically fly to the destination in the shortest time, which is the most efficient and convenient way to fly a drone based on the current technology level.
Measures for the drone safety
Several protection measures have been taken for drone safety:
1. Parachute as backup insurance for emergent landing
2. Automatical return to the dock for Failsafes events (connection lost, low battery, lose internet connections, etc.)
3. No-Fly-Zone (NFZ) can be uploaded or created in the FlytNow operation system to make sure the flight is taken in the permission area.
4. Smart return to the dock and bypass the NFZ zone automatically.
5. Weather station to guarantee every flight under the proper environment, including the temperature, wind, rainfall, humidity, etc.
6. Built-in air conditioner for charging safety by working with a smart charging unit, which ensures every charging under a suitable temperature.
Both the weather station and air conditioner are core and unique designs of the D135 drone dock, they are developed by clients’ feedback and have gained high praise after being deployed.
Now the second phase is opening soon, and the city of Genk is discussing the drone dock quantity as we speak.
About DStation D135
HEISHA D135 autonomous drone docking station is the world’s first automatic drone charging station for DJI M300. It combines automated drone flight, remote control, and real-time video capture functions altogether. Large drone landing size is one of its unique features, its robust canopy design allows it to be deployed outdoors, with the air conditioning system and T3 drone control tower, weather conditions and temperature adjustment are all under supervision, and the charging safety is taken care of in every aspect.
About FlytNow
FlytNow is one of the major products of FlytBase, which is the world’s first Internet of Drone Platform (IoD) that can be widely compatible with different drone platforms. FlytNow is a fully autonomous BVLOS operation system that combines mission planning and scheduling, autonomous drone flight, automatic landing and recharging of the drone in the docking station, data analysis, etc.
About Citymesh
Citymesh has fifteen years experience of in network connection and solutions, besides 4G, 5G, WiFi networks, smart sensors, and data visualization are also covered in their business. Citymesh has served more than 50 cities and over 200 events.
