As long as careless or untrained drone pilots continue to make headlines by crashing UAVs into high-profile, high security areas like the White House (twice) and the Japanese Prime Minister’s office, the UAV sector will continue to face a mountainous PR problem. In fact, unless developers can counter fears of drone crashes or worse, the entire industry could face the chilling specter of succumbing to a public Frankenstein complex, if not outright media hysteria.
If drones are to thrive, it’s inevitable that counter-drone technology will be deployed at government buildings, corporate headquarters and maybe even over private communities. This will require a careful balancing act by regulators, consumers, privacy advocates and drone companies as they must mitigate the freedom of drone operators to fly for both fun and profit and public safety. An overview of counter-drone tech indicates there is hope a sane solution can emerge from the often overblown headlines.
DroneShield
Washington, D.C.-based DroneShield uses acoustic technology to detect incoming drones from up to 150 yards and then send emails or text messages to a monitoring service if a drone – even a small, plastic model – approaches a specified perimeter. Prisons have started using the product to stop drones from delivering contraband such as cell phones of drugs to prisoners.
DroneShield proved that it could also operate in a noisier, less stable environment when it deployed detectors at the recent Boston Marathon. The entire marathon route had been declared a “no-drone zone” by city officials and Hearing reported no drones during the race.
Other potential clients include the producers of the latest Star Wars movie, who hope DroneShield can do a better job keeping sneak-peeking, photography geek drones away from their closed sets than the Empire could at keeping away those pesky X-Wings (but seriously, who leaves an exhaust port just open like that? C’mon, Death Star contractors!).
Maldrone
Not every counter-drone application is as polite as DroneShield. While the device simply informs others when drones approach, Maldrone may be the world’s first drone virus – infecting approaching drones with malware and dropping them out of the air like a bag of hammers. The Python-language script has been successfully tested by inserting the code into a Parrot AR Drone via Wi-Fi.
“[The] software then demonstrates running some standard Linux commands on the drone’s onboard computer, which in this case simply returns the version of Linux it’s running, but could just as easily report data from the drone’s sensors back to the attacker. Finally, the malware shuts off the drone’s autopilot system, causing it to drop out of the sky like a brick.” (Source).
Maldrone was originally intended to demonstrate security vulnerabilities in consumer-level drones rather than as a malicious “drone death ray.” Nevertheless, it’s not difficult to see how such a drone zapper could easily be distributed among the hacker community as a malicious way to stop drones.
Pwnie Express
On the opposite end of the spectrum from Maldrone rides the Pwnie Express. While the Vermont-based company is not invested in counter-drone solutions as a primary product, the company offers anti-hacking solutions that could at the very least stop a drone from flying near a device and inserting some kind of malicious code via WiFi.
The company states that its mission is to “mitigate the growing attack surface created by the emerging threat vector from the Internet of Everything. This includes high-risk BYOx, vulnerable IoT devices, and purpose-built malicious hardware.” That means that Pwnie products can self-test device security and sweep for outside risks, including drones.
DeTect
Conventional wisdom says the DJI Phantom that landing on the White House lawn literally flew under the radar and was too small to be detectable. Specialty radar company DeTect begs to differ. The Florida-based company has developed technology that would automate the tricky process of fine-tuning the radar to find drones flying amid other clutter like birds and ground objects. DeTect has already contracted with a company in Spain in helping detect various airborne objects around a drone-testing facility.
Happiness is a Warm Anti-drone Gun
At the end of the day, drone defenders can spend thousands if not millions of dollars deploying the fanciest of drone detectors or zappers. But maybe the Elmer Fudd approach is the most effective countermeasure – at least that’s the philosophy of Larry Breaux.
A viral video showing Breaux shooting down a drone with a rifle demonstrates that low-tech solutions will always be available (albeit illegal or legal depending on the state). Note: While Breaux’s Gary-Busey-esque solution may be seen as a symbol for extreme anti-drone measures, there is some indication the entire incident may be a publicity stunt for a Kickstarter project.
Jason is a longstanding contributor to DroneLife with an avid interest in all things tech. He focuses on anti-drone technologies and the public safety sector; police, fire, and search and rescue.
Beginning his career as a journalist in 1996, Jason has since written and edited thousands of engaging news articles, blog posts, press releases and online content.
Email Jason
TWITTER:@JasonPReagan
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I’m in az and I believe police drones have been harassing and following myself and my family. I am a family man and have engaged in no illegal activity. I do not feel I can call the same people for help that are doing this. This has been happening for over a month and I am really at my wits end. Its ruining my life and mental peice of mind. Its destroying my family. What can I do about this? I feel these abnormal circumstances are going to need severely abnormal actions none of which are going to end happily or peacefully. What can I do?
Thank you
Eric
I have no issue with responsible drone usage, but the delivery drones will ruin our skies.
For more news on this, check out my Facebook page, ‘Throw Stones At Drones’.
All these goods may not seem like considerably but
by creating these an integral part of your program it
commences to be a lifestyle.
When for these could be as considerably but formerly throughout any application it fosters viral reality.
“cell phones of drugs”
I came across this website the other day. This company says they advocate for drone privacy. You can add your home address to their database, and they will add you to their no fly list which is shared with drone manufacturers and drone operators.
the website is http://www.goawaydrone.com
What is it with these idiots who think they can inflict their noisy, intrusive and possible dangerous gadgets on other people? We were buzzed by a drone when hiking recently. The drone came within three feet of our heads. I would love to be able to buy a cheap, hand-held device that can bring down drones that come too close.
The device you need already exists. You could use a cheap, rapid fire pellet gun, paint ball gun or BB gun, or anything similar. They are also legal.
You mean like a stick? Good news, those already exist.
If the drone operator had followed proper mission protocol, he/she should ha been flying 25 feet away I believe. If the operator is flying by rules, they have just much right outdors as everyone else.
Great news!
If you want our beautiful skies left unpolluted by delivery drones, then throw stones at drones!
If you are interested, visit my Throw Stones at Drones facebook page!
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Throw-Stones-at-Drones/444203285757072?ref=hl
The UPP sounds like a winner. Self-policing as a preemptive strike to further regulation is often a winning strategy for any emerging group. It worked for the film industry, comic book industry and elsewhere. If you ever have a newsworthy story idea with re: to UPP, please feel free to contact Andrew or me.
Timely article, Jason. Well researched, and spot on. Truth is, the civil drone industry won’t be allowed to fly until its safe, and governments don’t have the resources or personnel to make it safe… so as things crawl along on drained resources -more and more incidents will happen that clip the industry’s wings before its allowed to take-off.
The solution: we learn to police ourselves… like every other industry seeking to avoid crippling legislation and bad public relations.
The main mission of the recently launched Unmanned Police Project is to enforce drone public safety. We encourage drone pilots to email us, and industry groups to step-up as well. There is a business model, and a public service component, designed to deliver on the promise of drones.
Hello, would you contact me at jasonpreagan at gmail.com? I would like to learn more about the Unmanned Police Project. Thanks.
Dear Sir,
I would like to know more about your anti-drone system
In my small area, there are many operators flying illegally and making money. I think when this happens, they should be stopped. If my dad’s farming company wants to monitor their crop stages, then that is a different story. In my opinion. I for see problems with letting everyone and their mother purchase one first of all.