Elsight has announced the launch of DroneCommX™, an aftermarket upgrade kit designed to extend the capabilities of DJI’s Matrice 30 and 350 drones. This new kit addresses critical challenges for first responders, law enforcement, and emergency management teams using these drones, which are widely employed in public safety and various commercial applications.
Enhanced Data Security and Remote Operations
DroneCommX enables key personnel to remotely view and analyze video and data from a command center rather than relying solely on the drone pilot’s remote control. This improvement provides better situational awareness and supports more effective decision-making during emergencies.
By routing all communications through DroneCommX’s multi-link LTE connectivity solution, the system avoids DJI’s standard peer-to-peer (P2P) network, enhancing data security.
“These two DJI Matrice drones are widely used by law enforcement and drone first responder teams for all the right reasons across the globe,” said Yoav Amitai, CEO of Elsight. “However, some of the benefits may be outweighed by a few disadvantages, leading Elsight to design and develop the DroneCommX, which redirects the communications for better security and enables NLOS flights.”
Enabling Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) Missions
One of the standout features of DroneCommX is its ability to support non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missions. This functionality allows drones to be controlled from remote locations without human observers, increasing operational flexibility for first responders and other commercial users.
Amitai highlighted the significance of this feature, noting, “As we are involved with several first responder organizations, we understood that first responder teams would be more effective if they could operate their DJI drone fleet remotely from their headquarters or from a mobile command unit instead of using a hand-held remote-control device. With this ‘wider lens’ of viewing all the data and live video streamed from all the drones, commanders and first responder personnel can make better tactical decisions.”
Advanced Connectivity and Communication Features
The DroneCommX kit includes several other enhancements to support drone operations in demanding environments. These features include:
- Robust multi-link bonded LTE communications: The system replaces DJI’s standard 2.4GHz communication with an aggregated link of four LTE modems, providing stronger and more secure connectivity. This communication is protected with M-TLS and AES-256 encryption, ensuring that data remains secure.
- Jam-resistant communications: The use of aggregated multi-link LTE technology reduces the risk of communication failures due to jamming attacks.
- Advanced flight operations management software: The kit’s integrated software facilitates better mission planning and automation.
The DroneCommX system is built on Elsight’s proven Halo technology, which has logged over 250,000 flight hours. Halo combines public and private cellular, satellite, and RF technologies to ensure continuous high-bandwidth video and data transmission, even in remote or challenging environments.
Ideal for First Responders and Commercial Applications
DroneCommX offers significant benefits for first responders and commercial operators engaged in disaster response, surveillance, deliveries, and long-distance inspections. By enhancing data security and enabling NLOS missions, the system supports a wide range of applications where reliable communication and real-time data are critical.
For more information about Elsight and its products, visit www.elsight.com.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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