FlytBase Introduces Flinks to Enable One-Click Integrations for Enterprise Drone Operations
Flinks are the connectors that enable one-click integration between FlytBase and a variety of third-party apps and devices used by enterprises. By acting as a unifying layer, Flinks allow organizations to fully automate their end-to-end drone operations.
San Jose, California (USA), May 14, 2024: FlytBase, the leading enterprise drone autonomy platform, announces the launch of Flinks(short for FlytBase Links) to enable users to connect the FlytBase platform with a wide range of third-party applications and devices. Flinks acts as a unifying layer, allowing organizations to create end-to-end automated workflows and conduct fully autonomous, safe, and efficient drone operations.
Solving the Fragmentation in the Drone Ecosystem
Enterprise drone operations often require the coordination of various systems. For instance, conducting drone flights on one platform and visualizing other aircraft in your operating airspace on another can make collision avoidance challenging, particularly during BVLOS operations. The lack of integration between these systems increases the risk of accidents.
Similarly, the process of capturing drone data using one application, then manually transferring the data from the drone's SD card to another application for post-processing and analysis, can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
Furthermore, enterprises often utilize a variety of internal applications, such as Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems, video management systems, or alarm systems, to monitor their operations and dispatch drones to specific geolocations for inspection purposes. The absence of seamless integration between these various systems forces enterprises to rely on manual processes, leading to inefficient operations and compromised safety.
“We are introducing Flinks to bridge this gap between the enterprise stack and drone operations. It allows users to effortlessly connect the FlytBase platform with critical business systems such as alarm systems, video management, data processing, and more. By eliminating the need for complex, time-consuming manual interventions, Flinks enables enterprises to seamlessly incorporate autonomous drones into their existing operations. Moreover, enterprises with unique needs can build their own integrations with just a few clicks, without the need for complex code," highlights Nitin Gupta, founder & CEO of FlytBase.
Flinks includes six different integration types:
Alarms: To integrate various alarm systems for drone response to incidents like motion sensors, fire alarms, and dispatch systems.
Data Processing: To integrate data processing applications that help generate high-res maps, surface and 3D models, and reports tailored to specific applications.
Live Streaming: To connect drone & dock video feeds with Video Management Systems (VMS) and other video storage or analytics applications for site security operations and incident response.
Mission & Logs: To export detailed drone missions and data to apps that help manage your resources, batteries, and flight logs.
Detect & Avoid: To integrate third-party cooperative & uncooperative aircraft detection systems to ensure safety and compliance with airspace regulations.
UTMs: To integrate uncrewed traffic management systems for real-time airspace awareness.
To explore how Flinks can help create custom integrated drone workflows or explore the library of ready-to-use Flinks, visit: https://flyt.link/flinks.
FlytBase is expanding its library of flinks and is inviting organizations developing software applications like Video Management Systems (VMS), drone data processing or analytics tools, or flight safety systems such as UTMs (Unmanned Traffic Management), DAA (Detect and Avoid), and parachute systems to seamlessly integrate with FlytBase through Flinks.
By partnering with FlytBase, organizations gain access to FlytBase's extensive global network of drone service providers, system integrators, and enterprise customers, thereby expanding their reach.
Find quick answers to common questions about compatibility, setup, features, and pricing
Baisali Ghosh
Marcom Manager, FlytBase
As a Marcom Manager at FlytBase, Baisali oversees the content strategy, creation, and management! With over 7 years of experience in the drone industry and 3 years of it at FlytBase, she’s a self-proclaimed drone fanatic and is obsessed with all things geographical. In 2022, she has been recognized as the “Women to Watch in UAS” for AI/Autonomy category by Women and Drones.
When she’s not busy hosting FlytBase’s webinar series or organizing NestGen - a global drone autonomy focused event, you can find her exploring the Patagonian Desert, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, or the Yellowstone Caldera on Google Earth.
Drones for Search and Rescue Operations - SAR Drones
Drones provide unique capabilities that are leveraged by emergency service providers all over the world. They are already saving thousands of lives through participation in various public emergency and safety operations.
The 2020 COVID pandemic has accelerated the adoption of drones for public safety. When humanity was facing a worldwide lockdown, authorities in India used drones to monitor cities and enforce social distancing norms. Read the full case study on how an Indian startup helped authorities in the state of Gujarat to use drones via the country’s first drone command center.
Among the numerous public safety use cases where drones play a vital role, one stands out for its direct benefits and widespread attention: search and rescue operations (SAR). In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into the subject.
Search and rescue aka SAR is a subset of public safety operations and involves activities revolving around finding missing people. It generally comes under the purview of the fire department in most countries. In the US, private SAR teams also exist; for example, Texas EquuSearch is a not for profit organization dedicated to SAR operations.
In 2019, a hiker got trapped on a ledge somewhere in the Snowy Canyon State Park, Utah. The mountain rescue operation happened at night using drones. SAR drones were used as a light source by the rescue team to locate the hiker. Similar to this, there are thousands of stories of how drones helped save precious lives.
Automate your SAR missions with DJI Dock 2 and FlytBase
Search and Rescue (SAR) missions are diverse and are generally categorized based on the type of terrain or the specific circumstances where the search is being conducted. Here are a few different types of SAR operations:
Air-sea rescue (ASR): Also known as sea-air rescue, this is a coordinated SAR of the survivors of emergency water landings as well as people who have survived the loss of their seagoing vessel. It can involve resources including seaplanes, helicopters, submarines, rescue boats, and ships. This type of rescue is carried out by both military and civilian units. Innovations like the helicopter provided hover capabilities that revolutionized air-sea rescue.
Ground search and rescue: This involves the search for persons who are lost or in distress on land or inland waterways. It covers searches for people who have gone missing due to a variety of reasons, from domestic abuse, mental illness, accidents, to getting lost or even abduction.
The primary agency for these types of searches in some countries is the police, though voluntary search and rescue teams may assist. Specific environmental risks may warrant the need for small specialist teams for operations such as swift water rescue, flood response, technical rope rescue, confined space rescue, over-snow rescue, and thin ice rescue.
Mountain rescue: This type of SAR operation specifically occurs in rugged and mountainous terrain.
Urban search and rescue (US&R or USAR): Also known as Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR), this operation involves the location and rescue of persons from collapsed buildings or other urban and industrial entrapments. It requires specialized multi-disciplinary teams due to the complex nature of the work.
Combat search and rescue: Conducted on the battlefield to rescue distressed individuals, typically in conflict zones.
Advantages of Search and Rescue Drones
Search and rescue operations are fairly difficult and unpredictable, unlike other public safety operations. These two factors play an important role in the overall outcome of a SAR mission:
Time: In most SAR missions, the missing person is trapped in a life-threatening situation, where the person has less time. So it becomes important for rescuers to find the person at the earliest.
Terrain: SAR missions outside human establishments can face challenging terrain in the form of a snowy mountain, rainforest, etc. which might slow the entire operation.
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SAR operations offer multiple advantages that make them an invaluable asset in emergency situations. Here are the main benefits:
Speed of Response: Drones can reach a location a lot faster than ground-based vehicles, thanks to their ability to fly over traffic and other obstructions. They are also capable of reaching inaccessible places, such as remote or hazardous areas.
Situational Awareness: By providing rapid, cheap access to aerial data of a large area, drones allow responders to map the entire search zone and pinpoint possible places where the missing person might be trapped. Drones can provide real-time visual information and data, reducing the time and the number of searchers required to locate and rescue an individual.
Detection and Identification: Drones can carry different sensors, including thermal cameras, which are extensively used in search and rescue missions. These sensors can identify ground objects and humans by detecting their heat signatures, making them easy to spot, especially in the dark or dense areas. Drones can also carry high-resolution cameras capable of capturing still images that provide valuable information to people on the ground.
Communication: Drones equipped with a loudspeaker can broadcast a message repeatedly, making the missing person aware that a search is underway. This feature can also facilitate direct communication with victims or ground crews.
Illumination: Drones can carry spotlights to light up target areas, providing additional visibility during night operations.
In sum, the versatility, agility, and advanced technology of SAR drones significantly enhance the effectiveness and safety of rescue operations.
Enhancing SAR Operations with Drone Dock Systems
Drone docks are automated stations that facilitate the deployment, charging, data transfer, and housing of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones. They serve as launch and landing pad, enabling drones to perform tasks such as surveillance, delivery, or search and rescue operations continuously. These smart docks considerably extend the operational capabilities of drones, allowing them to function autonomously across a wide range of applications.
Drone docks, when paired with the right software platforms, revolutionize these operations. Advanced software allows mission planning, real-time data analysis, and communication between SAR teams and drones. This significantly boosts the efficiency and effectiveness of SAR efforts, aiding in rapid response and comprehensive search coverage.
A thermal camera is a pivotal part of any aerial search and rescue mission. Drones that can carry a thermal sensor and can fly for a considerable amount of time are preferred for such operations. Here are some popular models from DJI that are extensively used for public safety operations.
How FlytBase Enhances the Capabilities of Drones (UAVs) in Search and Rescue Missions
Search and Rescue (SAR) missions are often challenging, requiring a high level of coordination, precise data, and rapid response. FlytBase is a drone autonomy software platform that enables autonomous drone dock operations to be executed remotely from a comma nd center without the need for an on-site presence. The following are some of the primary perks of using FlytBase:
Command & Control Center
Drone video feeds can be critical for effective command and control during SAR missions. Operators can view live HD video feeds from their drone fleet via the FlytBase dashboard. Furthermore, FlytBase's APIs enable this live feed to be ingested directly into the user's command center screens. This provides decision-makers with a real-time picture of the situation on the ground.
Real-time Thermal Video Feed
Real-time thermal video feed coming from the drone is incredibly useful in low visibility situations or densely vegetated areas where visual search may be limited. The real-time thermal video feed can help rescue teams pinpoint the location of lost individuals faster, especially during night operations or in challenging weather conditions.
Human Detection Using AI
One of the preeminent features of FlytBase is its use of AI for human detection. This powerful technology employs complex algorithms that can identify human forms in the drone's video feed. This increases the efficiency of the search, reduces false alarms, and allows for quicker mobilization of rescue efforts once a target is located.
Workflow Integration
FlytBase’s workflow module allows seamless integration with the tools and sensors used by SAR teams. This means the drone can be automatically deployed when an alert is raised in their CAD systems. For instance, when a sensor detects unusual activity or when a distress signal is received, the drone can be automatically and quickly sent to the scene. This integration allows for quick detection and real-time situational awareness, which is critical in emergency response scenarios.
Case Study: Drone Dock for Avalanche Response in Italy (Dronebase)
Emergency response teams confront significant challenges in hilly terrains and expansive valleys, especially during natural disasters like avalanches. A tragic incident on July 3rd, where an avalanche claimed 11 lives on the "Queen of the Dolomites," aka Marmolada mountain peak in northeastern Italy, emphasized the need for enhanced emergency response techniques.
The Challenge
The major challenges faced by the emergency response teams included the need for:
1. Visual aids in hard-to-access locations.
2. Rapid response in the event of natural calamities.
3. An efficient method for searching for missing people in and around woods and forests.
The region's difficult terrain and the remoteness of many areas made traditional methods of emergency response insufficient and often ineffective.
The Solution
To address these challenges, the rescue firefighters utilized FlytBase-powered autonomous drone docking stations in mountainous regions, aiming to prevent similar tragedies in remote and inaccessible areas. FlytBase partner, DroneBase, assisted rescue firefighters with operations and training and in getting a green-light for operations from ENAC - The Italian Civil Aviation Authority.
The implementation of the FlytBase powered drone dock had several key impacts:
Enhanced Visual Reference: The drone provided an aerial perspective that significantly improved the response team's situational awareness. The live video feed from the drone provided a real-time overview of the area, making it easier for the response teams to assess the situation and plan their operations accordingly.
Frequent and Repeatable Search Missions: The ability to carry out search missions at regular intervals provided an increased chance of locating missing individuals. Drones could be deployed regularly without risking personnel and could cover vast areas, including forests and other challenging terrains, much more quickly than ground-based searches.
Increased Accessibility of Terrain: The drone was able to navigate areas that were previously hard to access due to the hilly terrain and valleys. This increased accessibility allowed for quicker responses to emergencies and more efficient searches for missing individuals.
The deployment of the drone dock proved to be a significant advancement in emergency response methods. This solution not only improved the efficiency and effectiveness of the response operations but also played a vital role in ensuring the safety of the emergency response teams by reducing the need for them to enter potentially dangerous areas.
As a result of this successful implementation, other regions with similar challenges are considering adopting similar solutions for their emergency response operations.
In conclusion, drones, and drone dock systems are redefining the way Search and Rescue operations are conducted. The unprecedented speed, accessibility, and data capabilities they offer make them a game-changer in emergency situations. SAR operations are becoming faster, safer, and more efficient through drone technologies, such as those provided by FlytBase.
From real-time visual and thermal feeds to AI-assisted human detection, these innovations are significantly enhancing the potential of rescue missions. The successful implementation of such technologies in Italy serves as a testament to the transformative power of drone technology in enhancing public safety and saving lives.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: How are drones changing search and rescue?
A: Time is of the essence in a search and rescue mission. Drones allow SAR teams to scan a large area fast, which turns the odds in their favor for a timely rescue.
Q: Will fleets of drones be the future of search and rescue?
A: Yes! Drones have already become an important part of public safety operations, because of their capabilities. Search and rescue is a subset of public safety operations.
Q: Will drones be useful in avalanche search and rescue tasks?
A: Drones are already being used in avalanches for searching missing people. In the Czech Republic, there is a nationwide agency called the Mountain Rescue Service of the Czech Republic that actively participates in rescuing people trapped by an avalanche. They rely on a response system based on a network of drones.
Q: What are the benefits of drones in search and rescue?
A: Drones provide cheap and fast access to aerial data, which allows responders on the ground to scan a large area in less time. Thus increasing the odds of finding the missing person in time.
Q: What drones are best for search and rescue operations?
Enhancing Campus Security with FlytBase's Text-to-Fly Automation
Security teams are discovering how to deploy drones instantly with a simple text message. This practical Text-to-Fly automation, built using FlytBase's integration and automation capabilities with Flinks and Flows enables security personnel at schools, corporate campuses or any required site to launch aerial surveillance within seconds. Here's how you can create a system that transforms emergency response protocols using FlytBase.
The Challenge: Rapid Aerial Response for Security Teams
Site security teams face increasing pressure to respond quickly to potential threats. Traditional drone operations require trained pilots, complex controls, and valuable time—resources that are scarce during emergencies.
For security directors, site safety managers, and security professionals at such facilities, the technical requirements of drone deployment have created significant obstacles to implementing effective aerial response systems.
Solution: Building Text-to-Fly with Flinks and Flows
FlytBase's Flinks and Flows feature provides the integration tools that security professionals need to create effective automation workflows. This Text-to-Fly implementation connects simple text message triggers to complex DJI dock operations, removing the need for technical expertise during critical moments.
Security teams across locations can now create systems where authorized personnel launch pre-programmed drone missions with just a single text message—making aerial security accessible to facilities of all types.
Setting up triggers with Flows
How It Works: Step-by-Step Text-to-Fly Automation Process
This is how the Text-to-Fly workflow created with FlytBase works:
A security team member gets alerted of a situation requiring aerial visibility through integration with alarm systems using Alarm Flink
They send a text message 'Fly' to the designated number
FlytBase's platform processes this trigger through its automation system
The DJI dock automatically opens and launches the drone
The drone follows its pre-programmed mission path over the site
Simultaneously, the system sends email and WhatsApp notifications to the security team
The entire sequence takes just 20 seconds from text to takeoff—delivering immediate aerial visibility for site security teams. Watch the video below.
Case Study: OvrWatch Implementation in Asheville, North Carolina
This automation was successfully built and tested in collaboration with Rhys Anderson from the Ovrwatch team in Asheville, North Carolina. This real-world implementation provided valuable validation for the trigger-based workflow in an actual US campus security scenario.
The deployment strategically positioned DJI Docks around key campus locations, creating a network of on-demand aerial response units that could be triggered instantly during security incidents.
Key Benefits for Public Safety and Site Security Teams
Security professionals at schools and corporate campuses gain several advantages from this automated approach:
One-Touch Deployment: Security personnel need only basic text messaging skills
20-Second Response Time: Significantly faster than traditional drone deployment methods
Team Coordination: Automatic WhatsApp and email alerts ensure all team members are informed
Consistent Coverage: Pre-programmed flight paths cover critical site areas every time
Force Multiplication: Security teams can maintain ground response while gaining aerial visibility
This solution is particularly valuable for public safety teams protecting schools, college campuses, and corporate facilities.
Setting Up Your Text-to-Fly Automation with DJI Docks
Any security team with FlytBase Pro can access and create this Text-to-Fly automation. The implementation process typically involves:
Positioning DJI Docks at strategic campus locations
Creating custom flight missions for each security zone using FlytBase
Configuring the text message trigger in the Flinks and Flows interface
Testing the automation workflow in your specific environment
Training your security team on appropriate use protocols
Conclusion
The Text-to-Fly automation workflow demonstrates how security professionals can use FlytBase's integration capabilities to create practical drone solutions for site security. By reducing complex drone operations to a single text message, this system delivers immediate aerial visibility exactly when campus security teams need it most.
As shown through successful implementation in Asheville, North Carolina, this approach effectively enhances security protocols for schools, corporate campuses, and other facilities requiring quick emergency response capabilities.
Get access to the Setup Guide for this automation below.
Using Drones to Maintain Social Distancing During a Lockdown
In the wake of the recent COVID-19 outbreak which has affected almost every nation, government organizations and law-enforcement agencies are in search of an effective solution to fight this pandemic with minimal human interaction.
Drones seem to be an appropriate solution to tackle this menace. Apart from the transportation of emergency medical & pharmaceutical supplies, health-kits and blood samples, these unmanned aerial vehicles can effectively aid authorities in administering a state of lockdown.
A report in South China Morning Post says, the Chinese government “has adapted and co-opted industrial drones to help ensure that an estimated 50 million residents are kept at home and indoors across a dozen cities.” A fleet of drones is estimated to replace the surveillance capacity and enforcement duties of more than 100 policemen operating in dozens of patrol vehicles across a 10 square kilometer radius.
3 ways in which FlytBase can help manage lockdowns
While the need for social distancing and self-quarantining has already been enforced by most of the local and national government bodies in the form of curfews or lockdowns, there lies a constant necessity to monitor public spaces, in order to make sure that people are at all times following the state-mandated orders.
Equipped with thermal sensors, HD zoom lenses, loudspeakers, beacons, and disinfectant spray jets, drones are playing a crucial role in arresting the spread of the deadly virus.
1. Remote Aerial Patrolling
As a response to the current public health crisis, drones powered with FlytBase can send ultra-low latency (<1 second) live-video feed over 4G/5G/LTE network to a cloud-based remotely operated COVID-19 command control center. The captured video streams can be further shared with stakeholders and decision-makers located anywhere across the world, to help monitor the overall social situation and take measures to control the crowd and maintain public safety.
Police authorities can autonomously capture data for a predefined/geofenced area of interest, or send the drone to specific GPS coordinates - on-demand during emergency situations. They can also combine and manage a fleet of drones with a variety of payloads, battery endurance, and capabilities. To operate 24x7, thermal camera scans can be integrated for night-time surveillance to detect a breach of lockdown protocols.
Drones equipped with high-definition cameras for a wide field of view, can monitor a large area including narrow roads and by-lanes and take appropriate action to curb overcrowding at several locations.
Taking advantage of the FlytDock precision-landing module, with centimeter-level accuracy, drones can be safely landed on any designated spot or even a moving vehicle, significantly reducing the risk of emergency personnel being infected by the pathogen.
Why use FlytBase:
Live HD video-feed at the remote station over 4G/LTE
Cover large area or city with fleet of drones
Remote gimbal control to pan/tilt drone camera to look around
Sharing live video feed with across police stations
Thermal camera integration for night surveillance
Automated patrol on regular intervals
2. Remote Crowd Management
Public authorities using FlytBase can use drones to monitor a large area for unauthorized human gathering, since human contact is the primary way in which the coronavirus is spreading.
Built-in features like geofencing, autonomous flight, and automatic movement detection, can help authorities to catch offenders during a routine autonomous FlytBase patrol with minimum human involvement. This will allow for easy control and management of a large area with a small number of drone operators.
Fitted with loudspeakers, drones can be deployed to issue advisories, share key information, warn the public against breaching restrictions or broadcast lockdown rules and regulations, to effectively monitor and calm a panic-stricken crowd.
Drone can be the first responders in the event of an emergency like a riot, and can de-escalate the situation using onboard attachments like a siren or remotely controlled non-lethal weapon. Both the drone and its attachment can be controlled from the FlytBase dashboard. Since FlytBase supports most major drone hardware platforms, authorities can use different kinds of drones based on the situation; for example, a combination of both heavy and light drones can be used.
Why use FlytBase:
Live video feed from drones at the operation center for remote monitoring.
Automatic movement detection
People and vehicle counting using AI.
Integration with loudspeakers or sirens to monitor the crowd.
3. Remote Public Announcements
In a lockdown situation where the communication channels also have been shut down, drones can be used to make important announcements in an area.
Using FlytBase, authorities can dispatch a fleet of drones, which will follow a predefined path, carrying a public address system. With a message played on a loop, a fleet of drones can cover a large area compared to traditional vehicles.
Why use FlytBase:
Broadcast audio message to a fleet of drones equipped with a loudspeaker
Automated flights on a regular interval
Remotely transmit a message to lockdown offenders
Cover large area with a fleet of drones
Drones in Action Around the World for COVID-19
Drones are already in action and law enforcement officials, across the world, are already using it. In Bengaluru, India, police are using drones to catch offenders who are disobeying the lockdown.
France has also deployed drones to enforce their lockdown. Police are running aerial patrols in the streets of Nice and warning the residents not to venture out of their homes.
China has gone a step further; they have deployed heavy drones equipped with special attachments to disinfect large swathes of lands by spraying chemicals in the air.
Conclusion
Drones are already at the forefront of the worldwide battle against COVID-19. At FlytBase, we want to support public health and safety stakeholders in every corner of this world, which is why we are providing the FlytBase solution free of cost to people during the coming weeks.
FlytBase takes care of the complexities of managing a large number of drones, so that health workers, police, firefighters, and other public safety personnel can focus on getting the job done.
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