Automated Photo and Video Management for Public Safety Recorders

Drone manufacturer Skydio has completed the initial access steps for public service UAS operators to integrate Axon’s digital evidence management platform.

Designed to allow for easy, simple transfer of photos and video into the Axon Evidence program, the partnership simplifies the work of data stewardship and curation when using drones for evaluation or recording. Agencies currently using Evidence and Skydio drones can apply to participate in the early access program, with widespread availability expected in the coming months. 

"Drones hold the promise of massive positive impact for public safety, but physically transferring and manually cataloguing photos and video footage from drones into a digital evidence management system is time consuming and error prone," said Skydio CEO, Adam Bry. "As part of Skydio's strategic partnership with Axon, we’re excited to unveil this critical next step in helping public safety agencies quickly and easily organize their data via this new integration with Axon Evidence."

When connected, a Skydio drone will automatically and securely connect to Wi-Fi when plugged into its power source, when it will begin uploading any new photos or video to Axon Evidence. Once uploaded, Evidence automatically catalogs, tags, and files them into appropriate storage. Each file will contain appropriate metadata like pilot, date, and time, simplifying the tiresome process of post-flight SD card tracking, copying, and formatting before the next flight. Skydio cites increased administrative efficiency as well as improved chain-of-custody handling, with more to come as the system evolves. Axon Evidence is still evolving, and Axon sees future integration between their Respond program and Skydio that will allow for command center live streaming from pilots and drones across the fleet. 

FMI: www.skydio.com, www.axon.com