Innovate UK Smart grant awarded to British UAV Manufacturer Evolve Dynamics

London, UK – September 2024 In recognition of the development of its innovative Drone-in-a-Box technology, British UAV manufacturer Evolve Dynamics is proud to announce that it has won a grant competition for an Innovate UK Smart Grant, funded by UK Research & Innovation, part of the UK government.

Drone as First Responder (DFR)

A British company with a proud heritage of innovation and ingenuity, Evolve Dynamics is developing revolutionary self-charging Drone-in-a-Box (DiaB) technology that can be used to provide a rapid response to emergency situations. Designed to facilitate eyes-on contact and transmit video and audio feeds to first responder control centres, Evolve Dynamics’ Drone as First Responder (DFR) concept will be able to demonstrate high weather resilience and fly autonomously for up to 45 minutes.

The company’s DFR will be vehicle-mountable or transportable by a single person, in turn reducing the challenges of moving larger uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). Unlike existing UAVs currently used by first responders, this new innovation will feature vertical take-off, landing and recharging, all of which can take place autonomously, without human intervention.

By simply pressing a button on a handheld Ground Control Station (GCS) like a remote control, first responder operators will be able to send the DFR on a pre-planned route to a specific location. The journey undertaken will rely on radar or GPS and object tracking capabilities for collision avoidance, ensuring the safe arrival and home return of the UAV.

Breakthrough innovation of its type

Evolve Dynamics is the first company to offer a DiaB solution with autonomous charging and an integrated UAV. Developed to operate without risk of any foreign interference, the DFR will offer a high-quality, single-unit solution specifically designed for public safety applications.

Recognising technological advances and evolving ways of working, first responders are increasingly utilising UAVs to improve incident response times, which are also helping to reduce costs and free up resources.

By providing first responders with greater situational awareness and surveillance capabilities from a distance, the DFR will help to minimise human-risk and quickly ascertain the required response-level. This in turn will have the potential to reduce response times by 87%, lower eyes-on response costs by £2000 per incident and decrease the number of fatalities and property damage.

Mike Dewhurst, CEO and Founder of Evolve Dynamics stated, “We’re delighted and honoured that Innovate UK has recognised the potential of our Drone-In-A-Box technology. We believe this capability holds immense opportunities and is a truly disruptive technology that can transform the way in which first-responders operate and work.”

With ongoing security concerns in the industry around the production of Chinese-manufactured UAVs, the demand for ‘home grown’ or OECD-produced devices is forecast to grow significantly. As a unique technological concept, the UK is ideally positioned to become a leader in the global public safety UAV market, with further potential for global expansion.

FIRE Magazine

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