Police Planning To Trial Drones With High-Res Cameras to Patrol Several Areas, Including Residential Areas

If you think there are more than enough CCTV and security cameras in Singapore, think again.

Because the Singapore Police Force is now trialling the use of autonomous drones to patrol areas in Singapore.

Autonomous Drones

Imagine a world where boxes are deployed all across Singapore. Periodically, drones take off from these boxes to fly around the area with hi-resolution cameras.

When their battery is dying, they return to their box and gets outfitted with a new battery before taking to the sky once again.

Throughout the day, no humans need to be nearby the box and surveillance footage is streamed real-time to a command centre.

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And It Could Come True

According to the SPF, that’s the goal they’re working towards.

They’ve been trialling two autonomous drones in an “industrial area in the west” for surveillance purposes since the end of April.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Elvis Chong said that during this period, industrial areas are relatively deserted, which makes them “susceptible to crimes such as housebreaking and theft”.

“We don’t want criminals to take the opportunity to break into these empty warehouses or office areas, because one crime is also too much for anyone to swallow, especially during these difficult periods.”

The drones are 1.79m wide and weigh about 10kg.

They help to reduce the need for patrol officers and the SPF is planning to extend the trial to residential areas later.

The drones can fly within a few hundred metres radius and has cameras with high-zoom capability.

Exploring The Other Uses Of Drones

Surveillance isn’t the only thing that the authorities want to use drones for.

They’re also planning to use drones to provide help in search and rescue operations as well as supply runs in hazardous areas.

The current trial is to allow the Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) to collect important technical data while flying in an urban built-up environment.

Once enough data has been collected, the trial will end.

Is anyone getting the Back To The Future Vibe now?

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