Multi-member group proves drone-based security response system

A private wireless network developer has partnered with a security provider and an award-winning drone developer on a new system that will significantly increase home security response times. Rajant, a provider of private wireless networks, is now working with vertical-take-off-and-landing drone developer xCraft and Oklahoma-based AlarmTransfer on a system that will utilize drones to give security authorities an aerial vantage point of a disruption in 30 seconds. According to Rajant, the national average for authorities to respond to a verified home alarm system is seven minutes. 

How It Works:

According to Rajant, the drones live in “nests” that are autonomous recharging units, located within a certain geographic radius of a business or residential customer. When a customer’s alarm or alert is triggered, information is sent to a drone nest that gives the drone relevant data on the event. The nest then deploys a drone. Computer logic dictates flight path and the type of a drone responding (e.g., sending a drone with a thermal camera for a fire event).

The drone flies along a predetermined route to investigate. There is an open link between the drone’s feed and a command center, so operators can view the scene and take remote control as needed. Once the investigation is complete, the drone returns to the nest, docks, begins recharging, and waits for next mission. The system can choose to send one or more drones at one time to respond to a particular alarm, and the entire process is autonomous.

Work Done To Date:

The trio working on the system has tested the set-up in Oklahoma. The tests proved that a 30-second response time is possible using xCraft’s VTOL drone capable of flying up to 60 mph for up to 45 minutes. 

In the future, a swarm of drones could be deployed. “The one place you should feel safe is your own neighborhood,” said Lee Stauss, CEO for AlarmTransfer. “With Rajant, we have the ability to deploy multiple drones that are interconnected, so they all communicate with each other to track suspicious activity on the property in real time. We’re able to look at the whole community at once, at a much greater level of detail.” 

According to Rajant, the wireless mesh network trademarked under the name BreadCrumb, can work with any drone and the security team can choose which drones will work best for their applications. 

Based on the type of alarm that might be set-off, the system will send the appropriate drone on different trajectories. A fire alarm would send a drone on a different path than a break-in alarm.

System commanders can control live feeds, including camera angles from the drones.

For more on the system, go to: The “Launch on Alert” tests