Asheville,North Carolina, was battered by Hurricane Helene in September, but the city’s police departmentfound a lifeline in the form of drones from public safety startup Paladin. With roads closed and communication networks down, Paladin’s remotely controlled drones provided a cruciallink between emergency responders and those in need.
The story of Paladin’s success in Asheville is a testament to the potential of drone technology in disaster relief.While the company was founded with the goal of reducing response times to 911 calls, its capabilities proved invaluable in the aftermath of the hurricane. Paladin’s software, which can control drones remotely from its Houston headquarters, allowed the company tooperate effectively even when ground-based communication was unavailable.
Paladin’s founder and CEO, Divy Shrivastava, was personally motivated to create the company after witnessing the devastating effects of a house fire in his youth. He recognized the needfor faster response times and better situational awareness in emergency situations, and saw drones as the perfect solution.
Paladin’s technology is designed to be user-friendly and adaptable. It can work with any drone and is integrated with 911 dispatch systems. When a call comes in, a Paladin-powereddrone is dispatched within 90 seconds, providing real-time video footage to emergency responders. This allows them to assess the situation and determine the appropriate resources needed.
In addition to its core functionality, Paladin has recently expanded its capabilities to include the ability to drop off supplies, such as Narcan or life vests,and to detect and track individuals in need. These advancements further solidify Paladin’s position as a leading innovator in the field of public safety drone technology.
Paladin’s success in Asheville has garnered significant attention and investment. The company recently raised a $5.2 million seed round led by Gradient, Google’s early-stage AI fund, with participation from Khosla Ventures, 1517, and Toyota Ventures. This funding will be used to further develop Paladin’s software and expand its reach.
The story of Paladin’s drones in Asheville is a powerful example of how technology can be used toimprove public safety and save lives. As the company continues to innovate and expand its capabilities, it is poised to play an increasingly important role in emergency response and disaster relief efforts around the world.
References:
- How Paladin’s drones helped Asheville during Hurricane Helene – TechCrunch, October 2024.
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