On Tuesday, Oct. 20, the Florida Polytechnic University Police Department unveiled what it described as the first police aircraft of its kind in the country.
The electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL), also known as Astro, is a piloted aircraft, able to carry up to 210 pounds and fly for around 20 minutes at a time, according to the university. It was designed and build by California-based Jetson.
Despite being unable to fly in inclement weather, the aircraft is expected to assist the police department in search-and-rescue efforts, storm recovery operations, and missing persons cases.
“This isn’t an answer to everything. It’s not replacing tools we already have,” said FL Poly Police Chief Aaron Murray. “It’s just filling a gap that’s missing.”
According to the university, the aircraft cost $150,000. The police department is awaiting registration from the Federal Aviation Administration to integrate the technology, which it expects to receive in the coming months.
Students at the university will also be able to access the aircraft as a learning tool, with a capstone team currently working on a virtual training system, according to Matt Bohm, professor of mechanical and industrial engineering and director of capstone projects and industry engagement
“I want [students] to be all into this technology because our goal here, from a public safety perspective, is to protect all of our university community, but for our students, it’s to learn,” Murray said.
Astro is the university’s first prototype and with the help of the university community, Rapha Gerard, a senior at Florida Poly, said students expect to continue improving the aircraft.
“This is just prototype one,” Gerard said. “I imagine as our students work more on it, collect more data, we can improve the metrics of it, including how long it can last in the air and its overall functions and core purpose.”
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