Voice-Activated Microdrones Could Assist In Law Enforcement Missions

Amazon has received a patent for its Alexa intelligence, personal assistance technology, which could be applied to voice-controlled microdrones by law enforcement.

AUVSI reports that the tiny aircraft could be used for anything from finding missing persons to locating parked cars.

In its patent announcement, Amazon said that people lose things all the time. "It is common for a people to lose their car in a large, crowded parking lot. Children can become separated from their parents in shopping malls or at crowded amusement parks. Numerous technologies exist just to enable people to find their keys.

"As a result, it would be useful to be able to quickly scan a parking lot for a car or a store for a lost child, for example, using a combination of speed and altitude to improve and expedite the process."

The patent explains that a UAS with Alexa installed could be responsible for scanning a parking lot or store to quickly find a missing person or vehicle.  "If a user has lost their car in a parking lot, therefore, the user can command the UAV to ‘find car.’ The command can be in the form of a voice command, for example, a button on a key fob (similar to the emergency button), or an app on the user's phone."

Such small UAVs could also be used to provide security, or become a recording device. "In some examples, the UAV can also be used as a security or recording device. In situations in which a user feels uncomfortable or in danger, such as walking down a city street at night, the UAV may act as a deterrent to potential attackers, provide peace of mind, and, worst case scenario, document the crime for police," the patent document says.

Other potential uses for Alexa could could be converting UAS into mobile dash cams for police, or in the case of firefighters, a UAS could be used to help spot fires using thermal imaging cameras. They could even perch on police officer shoulders and give an eye in the sky for traffic stops or even help pursue suspects.

(Image from patent document)

FMI: Patent Document