BRINC Police Drone Uses Starlink, Carries Narcan, Hits 60 MPH
▼ Summary
– BRINC’s new Guardian drone is the first commercially available model with built-in Starlink connectivity for law enforcement.
– It has over an hour of flight time, exceeds 60 mph, and is marketed as the first drone capable of pursuing vehicles.
– The drone can deploy from a charging nest that carries various payloads like medical supplies and can robotically swap its battery.
– Its imaging system includes dual 4K sensors and 640x zoom, providing a clear view from over a thousand feet away.
– The Guardian features a 130 dB siren and is positioned by the company as a direct competitor to police helicopters.
A major upgrade in public safety technology has arrived with the announcement of a new law enforcement drone. The Guardian drone from BRINC integrates Starlink connectivity as a standard feature, marking a first for commercially available models. This satellite link ensures persistent, high-bandwidth communication, allowing the drone to operate effectively in remote or infrastructure-compromised areas where traditional signals fail.
Scheduled for production later this year, the Guardian boasts impressive performance metrics. It achieves a flight time of over an hour and a top speed exceeding 60 miles per hour. BRINC positions it as the first unmanned aerial vehicle capable of pursuing fleeing vehicles, a function traditionally reserved for manned aircraft. Its operational base is a smart charging “nest” that enables robotic battery swaps in about a minute, drastically reducing downtime between missions.
The drone’s versatility is a key feature, designed to carry various critical payloads directly from its dock. These can include a floatation device for water rescues, a defibrillator for cardiac emergencies, and medical supplies like epipens and the overdose-reversal drug Narcan. This capability allows first responders to deliver life-saving tools ahead of ground units reaching the scene.
Enhanced situational awareness is provided through advanced imaging systems. The Guardian is equipped with dual 4K visual sensors and offers 640x total zoom. According to the company, this optical package can deliver a clear, detailed view from distances greater than a thousand feet, day or night.
BRINC founder Blake Resnick emphasized the platform’s broad capabilities during its unveiling. He described it as the most capable 911 response drone ever developed, stating it represents a more direct competitor to police helicopters than any previous drone. The vehicle is also outfitted with a powerful auditory tool, a 130 dB siren. This sound level is comparable to a jet takeoff or a jackhammer, intended to deter suspects or alert the public during critical incidents.
(Source: Ars Technica)
