In a strategic move to advance the safe deployment of drones in emergency response, DroneSense and MatrixSpace have joined forces to accelerate the development of beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations for Drone as First Responder (DFR) initiatives. Announced yesterday in a press release, this partnership will enhance situational awareness for real-time drone operations through AI-powered radar capabilities.
At the heart of this collaboration is the integration of MatrixSpace Radar into the DroneSense Remote (DSR), the leading software platform for managing public safety drone missions. This integration brings real-time object detection and enhanced airspace awareness directly into the operational workflow, significantly improving situational responsiveness across both urban and rural environments.
MatrixSpace Radar stands out for its affordability and AI-driven capabilities, offering reliable situational awareness even in challenging conditions such as low light or poor visibility. Combined with AiEdge software for real-time object classification and scalable sensor fusion, the solution empowers public safety agencies to expand their DFR programmes with greater confidence and operational efficiency.
According to Aydin Ghajar, Chief Operating Officer at DroneSense, the company is “committed to building an open ecosystem that incorporates the best available drone hardware and detect-and-avoid (DAA) technologies”. He continued, “This integration with MatrixSpace represents the first of several partnerships to unlock BVLOS operations for public safety agencies. By bringing real-time radar awareness into our OpsHub interface, we’re enhancing both mission execution and safety.”
DroneSense control room for BVLOS flight operations
This integrated capability has already played a pivotal role in achieving significant milestones across public safety drone operations in the United States.
In Palm Springs, the Police Department (PSPD) expanded its Drone as First Responder (DFR) programme to cover an impressive 37 square miles – now the largest area in the country monitored by radar sensors rather than human observers. This advancement marks a major step forward in autonomous drone oversight and operational efficiency.
Building on this momentum, the Campbell Police Department (CPD) became the first law enforcement agency in California to secure FAA authorisation for single-operator BVLOS missions. Granted under a Part 91.113(b) waiver, this approval allows CPD to conduct drone operations using radar in place of human visual observers. The waiver enhances safety while also enabling more reliable performance during night-time missions and in adverse weather conditions.
“The partnership between two exceptional technologies – DroneSense and MatrixSpace – is a game-changer,” said Chief Charles L. Werner (Emeritus-RET), Director of DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Alliance. “It delivers critical situational awareness to real-time crime centres, fusion centres, and command staff through a single mission platform.”
Lori DeMatteis, Chief Revenue Officer at MatrixSpace also commented, “DroneSense is leading the charge in advancing operational best practices and technology for public safety,” She continued, “Together, we’re delivering a turnkey radar and software solution that supports next-generation airspace awareness, including night-time and low-visibility BVLOS operations.”
DroneSense control room for BVLOS flight operations
As more public agencies, regional partnerships, and critical infrastructure providers turn to drones for real-time support, the role of ground-based radar is becoming increasingly important. It provides the reliability and safety needed to scale BVLOS operations effectively. The collaboration between DroneSense and MatrixSpace reflects a growing shift towards smarter, more resilient drone programmes, helping responders do their jobs more safely and efficiently, regardless of the conditions.
Post Images Credit: MatrixSpace.
