Florida campus police deploy eVTOLs for patrols
The police department at Florida Polytechnic University is the first law enforcement agency in the U.S. to integrate a manned electric aircraft into its operations. The vertical takeoff aircraft is “in the final stages of the approval process,” according to the university.
Image: Florida Polytechnic University
The eVTOL from U.S. manufacturer Jetson is described by officials as a patrol aircraft, named “Astro.” According to Florida Polytechnic University, the device is still being evaluated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for this purpose. However, the approval process is said to be nearing completion. The eVTOL is intended to “improve the department’s ability to monitor the campus and surrounding areas, reach locations that are difficult to access with conventional vehicles, assist in cleanup after storms, and deliver emergency supplies quickly when needed.” The university police plan to collaborate with law enforcement agencies throughout the region “to use Astro to support emergency responses and other public safety initiatives,” the statement says.
The vertical takeoff aircraft in question is specifically the Jetson ONE model with one seat. According to the specifications, the device measures 2.7 x 1.6 x 1.2 meters, with its wings able to be folded down to even more compact dimensions. The manufacturer, Jetson, states that the total weight is 115 kg including lithium-ion batteries. These batteries enable a flight time of around 20 minutes, with a top speed of 102 km/h. The company does not provide any further details regarding the propulsion system or batteries.
"Advanced air mobility is a growing technology, and we can approach its development either proactively or reactively," said Aaron Murray, the university’s police chief. "We want to stay at the forefront of this technology and understand how it can be used to improve both public safety and overall airspace security."
Stéphan D’haene, CEO of Jetson, added that his California-based company prioritized processing the order for the Jetson ONE drone by Florida Poly despite a three-year waitlist — due to the university’s focus on MINT fields and the police department’s goal of ensuring public safety. Both factors reflect Jetson’s vision for the future of safe flying. “In our business plan and in line with our mission, we have always sought applications that go beyond pure recreational use,” said D’haene. “We believe this project is so important and aligns so well with our goals that we gave it priority.”
Beyond its applications in public safety, “Astro” is intended to become a practical learning and research tool for university students and faculty against this backdrop. The university introduced its new program titled “Aerospace Engineering” this fall, offering students the direct opportunity to study emerging flight technologies in a realistic environment, according to an accompanying statement.
Florida is already at the forefront of developing new air mobility solutions. That’s why the U.S. state was recently selected to participate in the Federal Aviation Administration’s “eVTOL and Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program.” This program aims to integrate next-generation aircraft into national airspace. Conveniently, just four miles from the Florida Polytechnic University lies the country’s first dedicated air test track, where initial eVTOL tests are set to begin later this year. The SunTrax facility in Auburndale is operated by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).