At DRONERESPONDERS convention, FDNY’s Mike Leo discusses integrating drones, floor robots, and different robotic methods to enhance situational consciousness
Public security businesses are more and more exploring how a number of robotic methods can work collectively throughout emergency response. On the DRONERESPONDERS Nationwide Public Security UAS Convention in Williamsburg, Virginia on March 10, 2026, Mike Leo of the Fireplace Division of New York Metropolis (FDNY) outlined how combining information from drones, floor robots, and different robotic platforms can present a extra full image of advanced incidents.
DRONERESPONDERS is a worldwide non-profit program advancing public security UAS, counter-UAS, and Superior Air Mobility. The annual convention brings collectively first responders, authorities businesses, and trade to share classes realized and operational finest practices.
FDNY has been on the forefront of deploying drones and robotics. Right here, Leo framed the dialogue round combining robotic options as an rising discipline moderately than a finalized answer. “This isn’t a presentation… it’s a begin of a dialog,” he stated.
The Convergence of Robotics
Leo described what he referred to as the “convergence of robotics,” an idea targeted on integrating information from a number of robotic methods right into a single operational image.
In lots of incidents, drones present aerial views, floor robots can method hazardous environments, and underwater methods might collect information in flooded or marine areas. When these platforms function collectively, they’ll provide responders and incident commanders with a extra complete understanding of the state of affairs.
The objective is to ship this data rapidly and clearly to the stakeholders chargeable for managing the response.
Constructing a Robotics Group
Combining instruments requires strategic coordination. The FDNY has established a specialised robotics crew designed to assist operations involving drones and different robotic methods.
In response to Leo, the crew construction contains a number of outlined roles:
-
Officer: Serves because the crew lead, interprets incoming information, and communicates findings to the incident commander assigned to monitoring the show methods.
-
Distant Pilot in Command (RPIC) / Operator: Controls the drone or robotic tools.
-
Visible Observer (VO) / Assistant: Helps the operator and ensures operational security.
-
Information Specialist: Manages information feeds, processing, and storage.
Further operational assist can embrace logistics models, planning and notification desks, and a robotics cell command unit designed for long-duration incidents.
This construction helps be sure that incoming information may be interpreted rapidly and delivered in a helpful format to decision-makers throughout an emergency.
Latest Incidents Display Worth
Whereas convergence of robotics remains to be one thing of an evolving science, Leo highlighted a number of latest incidents the place robotic methods helped responders collect crucial data.
Bronx Constructing Collapse: In a single case, a chimney collapsed alongside the facet of a multi-story constructing within the Bronx. Drones allowed responders to seize detailed aerial imagery and close-up views of the harm with out inserting personnel at risk.
Thermal imaging and high-resolution aerial information helped responders consider structural dangers and higher perceive the scope of the collapse.
Grand Central Steam Leak: One other incident concerned a 24-inch steam important leak close to Grand Central Station in New York Metropolis.
The state of affairs posed vital hazards as a result of excessive warmth and stress. On this case, FDNY deployed each drones and a four-legged floor robotic outfitted with sensors. The robotic, developed by Boston Dynamics, was in a position to method the leak safely whereas amassing thermal and environmental information.
This data helped responders establish the exact supply of the leak. With that information, restore crews have been in a position to order the proper components and allocate sources extra effectively, serving to to restrict disruption and cut back shutdown time.
Challenges and Alternatives Forward
Whereas robotic methods have already demonstrated their worth, Leo emphasised that vital challenges stay.
Future progress will probably rely upon a number of areas of enchancment:
-
Higher information integration throughout aerial, floor, and different robotic methods
-
Improved sensor integration to develop the kinds of data obtainable throughout incidents
-
Synthetic intelligence instruments to help with information evaluation
-
Stronger communications methods, together with command-and-control (C2) and voice integration
-
Open structure platforms that permit a number of applied sciences to work collectively
Leo additionally famous that many robotic methods stay comparatively new and may nonetheless be tough to function in demanding environments.
Regardless of these challenges, public security businesses proceed to discover how robotics can improve situational consciousness and assist sooner decision-making throughout emergencies.
The convergence of robotic platforms, Leo prompt, represents an essential step towards a future the place responders can entry a unified, data-driven view of advanced incidents.
Learn extra:
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, knowledgeable drone providers market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory atmosphere for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles targeted on the industrial drone house and is a global speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising for brand new applied sciences.
For drone trade consulting or writing, Electronic mail Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
Subscribe to DroneLife right here.
