Fotokite

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Fotokite provides actively tethered UAS drones for firefighters, law enforcement, and SAR teams, offering instant aerial situational awareness with no piloting required.

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About

Fotokite is a specialized drone technology company focused on public safety and emergency response. Their flagship product, the Fotokite Sigma (and upgraded Sigma+), is an actively tethered unmanned aerial system (UAS) that delivers mission-critical situational awareness from elevated perspectives without requiring a trained drone pilot. The tethered design keeps the drone connected to a ground power source, enabling 24+ hours of continuous flight time — far beyond battery-powered alternatives. The Fotokite Sigma features a three-axis gimbal camera system with a radiometric IR thermal camera, wide-angle color camera, and a 0.5x–16x hybrid optical/digital zoom color camera — all streaming simultaneously. The system is rugged, IP55-rated, and built with a lightweight 2.8 lb carbon fiber frame capable of reaching 150 ft (45 m) in altitude. Fotokite Live, the native operating software, runs on a rugged tablet and provides a clean, intuitive interface for incident commanders. Live streams can be shared with up to 50 remote viewers at 1080p resolution over Wi-Fi or mobile networks, with optional remote control for EVLOS/BVLOS operations. A developer API enables seamless integration with existing workflows, CAD systems, and platforms like Axon Evidence.com. Exempt from FAA Part 107 and COA requirements in the USA, Fotokite is purpose-built for fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and SAR teams seeking immediate, reliable aerial intelligence.

Key Features

One-Button Launch & Land: The Fotokite Sigma deploys, flies, and lands autonomously with a single button press — no piloting skills or FAA Part 107 certification required.
Advanced Tri-Camera System: Simultaneous wide-angle color, 16x hybrid zoom color, and radiometric IR thermal camera streams mounted on a three-axis stabilized gimbal.
24+ Hour Continuous Flight: Tethered to a vehicle's power supply, the Sigma can operate continuously for the entire duration of a mission without battery swaps.
Live Remote Streaming: Stream 1080p color and thermal video to up to 50 remote viewers simultaneously via Wi-Fi or cellular networks, with optional remote control.
Open API & Third-Party Integration: A developer API enables automated operations and integration with existing command software, including Axon Evidence.com and custom workflows.

Use Cases

Fire departments deploying the Fotokite Sigma at structure fires to provide incident commanders with a real-time aerial view of fire spread, roof conditions, and personnel positioning without risking additional crew.
Search and rescue teams using thermal imaging from the Sigma+ to locate missing persons in low-visibility environments such as forests, rubble, or nighttime conditions.
Law enforcement agencies streaming live overhead footage of crowd events, active scenes, or perimeters to a remote operations center for coordinated tactical decisions.
Emergency management coordinators integrating Fotokite's API with CAD and dispatch systems to automate drone deployment and route live footage directly into incident management platforms.
Public safety agencies conducting training exercises and after-action reviews using recorded Fotokite footage synced to Axon Evidence.com for documentation and analysis.

Pros

No Pilot License Required: Exempt from FAA Part 107 and COA in the USA, making it immediately deployable by any first responder without specialized drone training.
Exceptional Mission Endurance: Vehicle-tethered power eliminates battery limitations, enabling 24+ hours of uninterrupted aerial monitoring throughout extended incidents.
Rugged & Mission-Ready: IP55 weather resistance and a carbon fiber frame ensure reliable performance in harsh field conditions including live fire and rescue environments.
Seamless Command Integration: API and Axon Evidence.com integration allow footage and telemetry to flow directly into existing incident command and evidence systems.

Cons

Limited Altitude Range: The tether restricts maximum altitude to 150 ft (45 m), which may be insufficient for large-scale incidents requiring higher vantage points.
Vehicle Dependency: Optimal long-duration operation requires integration with a vehicle power supply, limiting rapid foot-portable deployment scenarios.
Enterprise Pricing: Designed for agency-level procurement with quote-based pricing, making it inaccessible for individual users or small organizations with tight budgets.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. In the USA, the Fotokite Sigma is exempt from FAA Part 107 and COA requirements due to its actively tethered design. It is recognized by aviation authorities as a safer alternative to free-flying drones, so no pilot certification is needed.

When integrated into a vehicle's power supply, the Fotokite Sigma can fly continuously for 24 hours or more — for the entire duration of a mission — without any battery changes.

The Sigma features a three-camera system on a three-axis gimbal: a radiometric IR thermal camera (for temperature measurement), a wide-angle color camera, and a zoom color camera with 0.5x–16x hybrid optical and digital zoom. All streams are available simultaneously.

Yes. The Fotokite system supports live streaming of both color and thermal video to up to 50 remote viewers at 1080p resolution via Wi-Fi or mobile networks, shared through a secure link.

Yes. Fotokite offers a developer API for custom workflow automation and integrations. It also supports direct integration with Axon Evidence.com for evidence management and has optional remote control capabilities for EVLOS/BVLOS operations.