Maybe we don’t have flying cars yet, but in the US they already have police officers who do. And Florida Polytechnic University’s police department demonstrated its use of the ‘Astro,’ a single-seat electric aircraft that joins its patrol fleet in what the university says is the first US law enforcement agency to do so. The craft is a Jetson One, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle flown by a pilot from an open cockpit.
an intermediate point. Police have drones and helicopters, so this device is more or less in the middle. Unlike a drone, it can transport a first responder directly to the scene, according to Police Chief Aaron Murray, local media Tampa Bay 28. The campus covers about 70 hectares, and most of it is forested and remote, so this vehicle can reach places that are difficult to access by car.
Details. In the information provided by Murray and the manufacturer, we learn that the aircraft costs about $150,000, has electric motors that add up to about 102 HP, and eight small rotors that provide lift and thrust. Also, it is capable of reaching a speed of 101 km/h. What’s not so interesting though is its autonomy. And for each charge, it can last about 20 minutes, and less if you push it hard, Murray says.
As for weight, about 70 kg without battery, and up to 95 kg with load capacity. Another odd detail is that it fits in the back of a truck. Also, the plane can fly safely if one of the engines fails and has an automatic parachute if things go wrong.
The department will fly it under the same restrictions as a drone, limited to about 400 feet, according to Murray. Of course, if there is heavy rain or wind, it stays on the ground, because it can damage the battery (it is not insulated like an electric car).
What will it do? Astro will assist other agencies in locating missing persons on campus, responding to traffic accidents and in search and emergency situations, Murray said. The university also noted that it can help with post-storm recovery and emergency supply delivery. The police chief himself hinted to the media that this could be especially useful if someone gets lost or a plane crashes on thousands of acres of rural land. The department plans to work with the rest of the authorities in the region.
out of retirement. What’s interesting about this is that the Jetson One is primarily known as a recreational aircraft, and the company claims it has a three-year waiting list. Jetson CEO Stefan D’Haene said the organization brought the request to campus because of the school’s STEM focus and the police department’s public safety objectives. “We’re always looking for use cases beyond recreational intent,” D’haene noted.
incheer up Polytechnic professor Matt Boehm said the university also launched an aerospace engineering degree this fall, and six computer science students are working with the aircraft on final-year projects. Boehm also points to Tampa Bay 28 engineering students studying how to make carbon fiber parts lighter, which would increase flight time.
Some edges are missing. Astro is not yet approved for routine use. Murray told The Ledger that final approval from the FAA is expected in early December, and the university notes that it plans to begin using more aircraft in public safety operations by then.
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