Safe Ops Systems (SOS)
Safe Ops Systems (SOS)
SOS Live is an enterprise-grade, edge cloud solution that connects and automates mission-critical equipment to provide rapid, real-time situational awareness to first responders. The virtual command platform integrates UAVs, cameras, sensors, and mobile devices for remote autonomous control and live data ingestion. An AI-based application preemptively detects threats and equips responders with mission-critical information.

Challenge
SafeOps Systems (SOS) had a goal to bring autonomous UAS to first responders to save lives by quickly delivering crucial information to the people who need it. They needed someone with a wide breadth of technical expertise to create a proof-of-concept integration that would allow an off-the-shelf drone to be controlled via Tablet Command, a firefighter dispatch software. They hired Geisel Software to develop the prototype that would be used in their first customer demonstration.
Solution
Geisel Software developed a first-of-its-kind, low-cost, compact UAS proof-of-concept for police/fire department response. The Geisel team performed all aspects of the project: requirements, architecture, software development, integration, and demonstration. Some of the complex challenges they solved include:
- HD and thermal streaming video from UAVs
- Cellular communication from UAV (replaces WiFi)
- On-board processing on the UAV
- Cloud application supports multiple UAVs streaming video simultaneously and administrative features
- Object avoidance based on county LIDAR maps of terrain and objects
- UAV safety features designed to earn FAA waivers for beyond-line-of-sight flights
Results
Acting as SOS’s primary software development team, Geisel Software created the entire command system, including low-latency video streaming, path planning, obstacle avoidance, and other autonomous behaviors. They helped SOS deliver a successful first customer demo to a local fire department and also worked with them to apply for their first Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award.