Capabilities - Drone Detection
Drone Detection uses visual analysis to identify unmanned aerial vehicles in camera feeds, classify them by type (multirotor, fixed-wing, VTOL), and track their flight paths in real time. The system can establish virtual geofences around protected areas and alert when a drone enters the exclusion zone. It is designed as a detection and awareness tool — it does not jam, disable, or interfere with drones, as such actions are subject to regulations. By fusing visual detection with optional radar and acoustic sensor data, the platform can provide layered airspace awareness for critical facilities.
- Drone Classification
- Visual
- Visual Detection Range
- <500m
- Alert Latency
- <2s
How it works - Drone Detection in three steps
Get started with drone detection in minutes using your existing camera infrastructure.
- Deploy Surveillance Cameras. Position PTZ or fixed cameras to cover the airspace around your facility. The system supports standard IP cameras; long-range cameras with optical zoom extend detection range beyond 500 meters.
- Detect and Classify Drones. A specialized aerial-object detector identifies drone candidates against sky and cluttered backgrounds. Classification models determine drone type, and tracking algorithms build continuous flight path trajectories.
- Alert and Track. When a drone enters a defined geofence zone, security personnel receive immediate alerts with live tracking on a map overlay. PTZ cameras can be commanded to follow the drone automatically for continuous visual tracking.
Features
Everything you need for production-grade drone detection.
- Multi-Type Drone Classification. Distinguishes between multirotor (quadcopter, hexacopter), fixed-wing, and VTOL drones. Size estimation helps differentiate consumer, commercial, and custom-built platforms.
- Flight Path Tracking. Tracks drone position frame-by-frame and plots flight paths on a facility map. Historical data reveals approach patterns and operator launch positions.
- Virtual Geofencing. Define 3D exclusion zones around your facility. Alerts trigger when any drone enters the zone, with severity levels based on proximity to the protected area.
- PTZ Auto-Follow. When paired with PTZ cameras, the system commands pan/tilt/zoom to track the detected drone automatically, maintaining a centered view for operator assessment.
- Multi-Sensor Fusion. Optionally integrates visual detection with radar tracks and acoustic sensors for layered detection. Visual confirmation validates radar contacts, reducing false alarms from birds.
- Bird vs. Drone Discrimination. Classification models distinguish drones from birds based on flight dynamics, shape, and size. This reduces false alerts in environments with heavy bird activity.
- Incident Replay and Forensics. All detection events are recorded with full video, flight path data, and timestamps. Exportable reports support incident investigation and regulatory reporting.
Use cases
Real-world applications of drone detection across industries.
Airport Perimeter Protection
Unauthorized drones near airports pose severe safety risks. Visual detection can provide an additional awareness layer for air traffic control and airport security, complementing radar-based systems.
- Transportation
- Government
Prison and Correctional Facility Security
Drones are used to deliver contraband over prison walls. Detection and tracking can provide advance warning to security staff, with flight path data aiding investigation of delivery attempts.
- Government
- Law Enforcement
Critical Infrastructure Protection
Power plants, water treatment facilities, and data centers need to detect surveillance or sabotage drones. The system can provide 24/7 airspace monitoring around facility perimeters.
- Energy
- Utilities
- Corporate
Event Venue Airspace Security
Large outdoor events are vulnerable to unauthorized drone overflights. Detection can provide event security with real-time awareness and evidence for post-event enforcement.
- Events
- Government
Military and Government Facilities
Sensitive facilities require continuous airspace monitoring. Visual detection can supplement electronic warfare systems with positive visual identification of aerial threats.
- Government
- Defense
Border and Perimeter Surveillance
Long perimeters are difficult to monitor for small, low-flying drones. Camera networks with drone detection can provide automated coverage across extended boundaries.
- Government
- Law Enforcement
See how drone detection works in your environment
Schedule a free discovery call. We will walk through your cameras, your use case, and what our detection models can do for you.
Technical specifications
- Models
- YOLOv8-S optimized for small-object aerial detection, with EfficientNet drone classifier
- Accuracy
- Visual detection at ranges up to 500m; drone-vs-bird discrimination; multi-sensor fusion available
- Latency
- <2 seconds from detection to alert; per-frame inference <60ms
- Input Formats
- RTSP, ONVIF, MP4, HLS, PTZ control protocols (Pelco-D, ONVIF PTZ)
- Output Formats
- JSON, MQTT, Webhooks, KML flight paths, integration with C-UAS platforms
- Edge Support
- NVIDIA Jetson Orin for field deployment, ruggedized outdoor enclosures, PoE powered
Related capabilities
Ready to explore what AI vision can do for you?
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