DJI has launched a security solution that enables law enforcement and other `authorized parties` such as aerospace agencies to receive identifying information and location data from DJI drones being operated nearby.
The company calls this solution AeroScope, and explains that it is based on existing communication technologies. Put simply, AeroScope uses the communications link between a DJI drone and its remote control to broadcast telemetry data and either a serial number or registration number to anyone with an AeroSpace receiver. In addition to location and ID, the data that is being broadcast includes details such as altitude, flight speed, and direction.
AeroScope is already in use at two unspecified international airports and DJI says that testing is underway in other environments.
During a demonstration last week, DJI explained that AeroScope receivers automatically detect when a related drone powers on nearby, plotting the drone`s location on a map alongside its serial or registration number. With this information, officials can determine who the device`s registered owner is; however, DJI was adamant that this system does not broadcast personally identifiable data (though that could change in any jurisdiction that establishes regulations requiring such info).
AeroScope is DJI`s way of addressing growing concerns from law enforcement and governments around the world over the ability (or lack thereof) to identify and track drones that violate UAV regulations. There have been, for example, instances of drones flying in restricted airspaces, at too high of altitudes, over crowds, and over prison yards. Identifying the owner and operator of these drones remains difficult.
On the other side of the debate are concerns over privacy, which is why DJI decided to use existing communications tech to locally transmit info-rather than the Internet. This, explains DJI, prevents governments from automatically cataloging this data in a database. Only a ...
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