BRINC hones in for public safety agencies with u-blox

Better informed decisions equal better outcomes. This is BRINC’s mission.  
To help public safety and first responder services gain incident visual intelligence, BRINC launched its Responder drone solution. This purpose-built drone can be used for a variety of missions, including accident documentation, search and rescue, and crime scene investigations.

Responder adds a unique visual intelligence to the public safety services toolkit. With the ability to be remotely launched from a robotic charging nest or easily transported to an incident the Responder drone delivers reliable live broadcast images (with heat sensing and infrared capability), two-way communications with suspects, and coordination with emergency personnel as well as payload delivery.

To enable Responder to be navigated with centimeter-level accuracy, it utilizes the u-blox ZED-F9P high-precision GNSS module and PointPerfect Flex - delivering PPP-RTK GNSS corrections.

Challenge #1: High precision and speed For a drone to operate efficiently, it needs to be able to navigate precisely in order to observe flight path data requirements as well as accurately achieve destination and hover co-ordinates. That means location data needs to be relayed at speed and with mission-critical consistency. Precision location data, down to cm-level, must work reliably, often in challenging environments. Challenge #2: Integration complexities  Incorporating PPP-RTK GNSS corrections for precision accuracy solutions can present a number of challenges, including software and hardware from multiple suppliers. This not only adds complexity to the manufacturing process but also requires technical expertise across numerous platforms.  Challenge #3: Weight efficiency for optimum flight time and payload allowance  For drones to fly efficiently, consideration needs to be given to every component. Carrying any unnecessary weight  severely impacts operational efficiency, reducing the amount of time a drone can safely remain airborne and the amount of emergency payload it can carry.

 

BRINC achieves easily integrated precision accuracy with u-blox
Leading specialist drone manufacturer BRINC needed a reliable, lightweight, high-precision positioning service to provide the best possible solution for its Responder drone - aimed at public safety and first responder organizations. Having been introduced to u-blox it became clear that the u-blox high-precision GNSS module combined with its PointPerfect Flex solution met these requirements thus ensuring cm-level accuracy and reducing hardware needs while working seamlessly with little integration effort or resource.

Outcome #1 - addressing high precision and speed

By using u-blox’s PointPerfect Flex precise positioning service, BRINC enables public safety and first responder services to reliably, quickly and consistently navigate the Responder drone to any location, even those that are remote, to within cm-level accuracy.

Outcome #2 - addressing seamless integration for high precision GNSS solutions
 

BRINC has been able to integrate u-blox’s ZED-F9P module and PointPerfect Flex precise all-in-one positioning service seamlessly as part of its Responder drone offering. Reduced hardware (including the need for just one antenna) and software requirements ensures minimal ongoing engineer support and involvement.

Outcome #3 - addressing weight efficiency 
 

By selecting u-blox, BRINC has optimized weight to performance, ensuring that the Responder is able to maximize its operational efficiency, extending its flight time and payload options.

As things stand now
 

BRINC has successfully launched its Responder drone and has received positive feedback from public safety and first responder organizations across the US.

What’s on the horizon
 

As BRINC systems become increasingly common across public safety agencies, the company is looking to take autonomy and precision flight to the next level. This means enhanced mapping capabilities, flight automation and more.

From Challenge to Solution: Explore the Impact of u-blox Technology. 
For more information on BRINC drones, click here