Los Angeles has long been known for its police helicopters frequently patrolling the skies since the 1990s. However, in recent years, the city and other metropolitan areas have gradually shifted to using drones as a smaller and more efficient solution for first responders.
In Los Angeles, Aerodome, a local startup, is tapping into the immense potential of urban airspace. The company operates in the Drone-As-First-Responder (DFR) space, utilizing UAVs to provide the first view of areas requiring assistance, such as crime scenes, medical emergencies, or large fires.
Los Angeles prioritizes Aerodome’s services to support its police departments. According to CEO Rahul Sidhu, fire departments in the city are often slower to adopt new technologies due to the mindset of “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” The key strength of drones in Los Angeles lies in their rapid response time: they can arrive at a scene in just 85 seconds on average, compared to the 5-10 minutes required by traditional methods, significantly reducing response time in critical situations.
In Los Angeles, Aerodome does not manufacture drones itself but collaborates with hardware suppliers. Amid scrutiny against DJI over alleged ties to the Chinese government, the city prefers drones from American companies. However, Sidhu acknowledges that DJI remains ahead in terms of surveillance capabilities, especially for reading license plates from 400 feet in the air, which American companies often struggle to match.
Aerodome’s system in Los Angeles is activated by 911 calls. When necessary, drones can be deployed within less than three minutes thanks to the city’s decentralized launch pads. While the system can “automatically” fly from the launch pad to the scene, Sidhu emphasizes that there is always human supervision to ensure safety, as required by the FAA.
Los Angeles has deployed this service in four cities within Los Angeles County, with plans to expand to other areas, such as the Bay Area, New Mexico, and beyond. Recently, Aerodome announced a $21.5 million Series A funding round, bringing its total funding to $28 million. This investment will enable Los Angeles to further expand its drone services and enhance its infrastructure and workforce in this emerging field.
