At a glance
The goal
The central task of the project was to test drone missions in BVLOS mode under real conditions. This involved investigating how drones can contribute to improving the safety and efficiency of rescue and observation measures, as well as to situational awareness and visualization. The focus was on, among other things, the exploration of emergency situations at sea, the early detection of fires, the search for missing persons and the observation of streams of people. The results achieved will be used in the next step to define new standards for regular operations in control centers so that rescue teams can be deployed more quickly and in a more targeted manner in the future.
The implementation
From June 27 to 29, 2024, a drone control center was set up in the Integrated Regional Control Center (IRLS) Mitte. Experienced and trained drone pilots controlled the drones from a distance. The drones themselves were stationed on a centrally located building in Kiel's city center, strategically close to the event areas and the inner fjord. The aim of the setup was to test drone control from a central point and evaluate the practical benefits for situation monitoring and crowd management. During the project, several deployment scenarios were carried out under real-life conditions.
Our contribution
Droniq GmbH supplied the necessary technology to allow drones to fly safely in BVLOS mode. The drone technology proved its worth in several real-life scenarios. One drone used infrared technology to locate a swimmer in distress at sea and transmitted the exact location in real time. Smoke development in a wooded area was also detected at an early stage, and thermal imaging cameras were used to find missing persons in areas that were difficult to access when searching for people in the forest. The drones were also used to monitor crowds of people and provided precise images, even in poor lighting conditions. Another example of the effective use of drones was a real emergency call due to a collapsed jetty. The drone quickly determined that there were no more people in the water, which enabled the emergency services to quickly adjust their response. A drone detection system and aerial situational awareness software was also used to ensure maximum safety for all involved.
The project was a great success and proved that drones offer valuable support for rescue operations at major events. An extended deployment is planned for Kiel Week 2025, in which drones will be in continuous operation and integrated into the metropolyBOS command and control system. As a result, drone technology will further improve safety at major events in the long term.