Lessons Learned: 25,000+ Automated Drone Missions
Through major tech and operational advancements, Asylon is changing industrial security. With automated perimeter security drones, trained operators can remotely monitor the premises, carry out patrols, and investigate potential facility security situations in a safe and efficient manner.
While tech giants such as Amazon are actively investing in drone technology, they have faced hurdles in implementation. Last year they missed their goal of conducting 2,500 test flights in the United States for their Prime Air Program. In 2022, despite the target of testing 12,000 flights, only 200 had been completed by late February. Though, Amazon recently issued an update in June on how they will be deploying Prime Air in Lockeford, CA soon.
And, while drone delivery is certainly a different use-case than security patrols and alarm response flights, these flight numbers help to put into context the 25,000+ security missions that have been completed so far. Focusing on the security use case, specifically, is actually a key part of our competitive advantage and why we’ve been able to scale at the rate we have for customers. This milestone is a testament to how our consistent and measured approach to building out our advanced aerial security system is paying off.
How We Got Here
Founded in 2015 by MIT aerospace engineers, Asylon has worked to revolutionize the security industry through automated robotic technology.
Back in 2017, we launched a patented drone battery swap system. This was a self-managed system for rapid removal and replacement of depleted drone batteries. By autonomously re-charging the depleted batteries in a charging bay, the system ensured that a drone could always have a fresh set ready — enabling longer flight times and immediate power replacement.
By 2019, we had built our automated drone system, which was equipped with purpose-built hardware infrastructure and custom software. The system was fully functional, with lasting battery power, a weatherization system, automated take-off and landing, along with advanced communication means. Through our set-and-forget operations, 1,954 automated drone missions were conducted in this first year.
We continued to build on our existing work in the next year, and incorporated ground robots into our security platform. Through 2020, the Asylon security system continued assisting facilities with drone perimeter security, and performed 5,250 missions.
Building off our consistent year-over-year growth, the Asylon robotics system executed another 11,095 security missions in 2021, proving our commitment to advancing our system through continuous development.
2022 missions are continuing across the United States 24/7/365 and our team is on target to hit another record by end-of-year.
Our Customer Perspective
We truly believe in the importance of providing value to our clients. We build partnerships with customers by educating them about the purpose of drone perimeter security, and taking into account their insights and feedback.
Senior Director of Securityat GXO Logistics, Tommy Nelson, shared the logistics company’s experience with Asylon:
“Automated drones and robotics are an absolute game changer and allow us to address many of our requirements for detecting, deterring, and safely responding to potential criminal activity. These systems have already shown measured success at decreasing unwanted criminal activity and increasing safety. As we continue our partnership with Asylon, we are confident in the continued success. Asylon has been a tremendous partner as we innovate and continue to develop these innovative programs!”
Testimonials like this are consistent throughout our client portfolio. It helps to validate the extra effort we put in to onboard our systems, and make sure our clients get the safety and security they’re looking for with our security platform.
Performance and ROI
Defining KPIs and comparing actual performance with predetermined KPIs is crucial for the security system’s success. From mission count to weekly flight hours to response time, the system performance is consistently evaluated. To put into perspective just how much flight time we have completed, our 25,000+ missions equate to over 334,050 minutes of flight time. All of that flight time has helped us achieve some great performance and ROI.
- 25,000+ completed missions
- 6,000+ sUAS flight hours
- 24/7/365 operations and customer support
- 3000+ false alarms cleared
- <4min response time
- Measurable cost savings
- 8+ 3rd party sensor integrations
- 3+ BVLOS waivers granted by the FAA
Our system also boosts security reliability. Our robots are available all day, every day, making vacation time, sick leave, and absences non-existent. In a tight labor market, there is no need to worry about turnover rate, finding qualified personnel, or any other staffing issue that comes with having physical security guards. The ability to clear false alarms means reducing operational disruptions and the costs associated with them.
Additionally, a new type of job is being created. We’ve hired, trained, and employ a number of robotic security operations center (RSOC) analysts who remotely operate and monitor the equipment 24/365.
The Making of an Automated Security System
It has taken a steady and precise approach in both engineering and operations for us to reach this point. Each innovation has played an important role in helping us reach our 25,000+ drone perimeter security mission milestone.
Engineering
When it comes to development, there are always challenges and unforeseen circumstances that are difficult to plan for. We’ve taken the approach that getting to an 80% solution and then deploying it provides more value than iterating exclusively in an R&D-only environment. This was our approach in 2019 with our initial pilot programs. What we’ve experienced through developing innovative technologies in the field, we can see where changes are needed and gain valuable insight we otherwise couldn’t have gotten in an office or lab. This is also why we take customer feedback so seriously. We’re accomplishing things never done before as we move the needle forward, and so we treat our customers as partners from day one. This ensures we’re all moving forward in concert.
Addtionally, we have made an effort to emphasize data in our development. Our belief is that anecdotal evidence is useless in making design updates, so documenting details and data allows us to make informed decisions. We’re able to remain efficient by chasing the right problems at the right times.
Then, as always, safety is at the top of list during development and deployment. Risk management is a crucial part of any good development cycle, ours included. By planning for the worst we can be better prepared and more proactive for situations we might face.
This approach led us to becoming the first American-made platform to meet ASTM F3322-18 certification standards for an automated safety parachute for a drone.
Operations
For optimal performance of automated systems, data is king. Our approach has been to start recording data from an early stage so it can help with the decision-making process down the road.
We utilize checklists which assist our operators to ensure safety and completeness in their work. Checklists have been a staple in the aviation industry for decades, and we carry that into our drone system.
Operators provide valuable feedback and insight, and listening to them is in the best interest of clients. They possess vital expertise, and can share important insights regarding technical aspects that help us with diagnosing any operational weaknesses.
Upgrade Your Security
Asylon robotic security systems automate security, increase ROI, and offer greater coverage and reliability. Our technology resolves the problems prevalent in traditional security measures by providing an automated aerial or ground-based patrol or alarm response vehicle that’s capable of streaming footage back to a security operations center (SOC) in real-time.
Reach out to us to start a conversation and book a demo. Or, click here to learn more about how automated security drones work.