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Drone-in-a-Box: Enhancing Public Safety and Environmental Monitoring on Cape Cod

Cape Cod, a popular tourist destination, faces unique challenges due to its geographic isolation, seasonal population fluctuations, and increasing environmental concerns. This research proposes leveraging drone-in-a-box (DiB) technology, an autonomous drone system with automated launch, landing, and charging capabilities, to address these challenges. DiB systems offer persistent aerial surveillance and rapid response capabilities, making them ideal for various applications in remote and dynamic environments. The research team for this project includes representatives from Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Aeronautics, MassAutonomy, and Endicott College. Endicott College will identify appropriate team members based on the expertise needed for each aspect of the project. This project is significantly strengthened by the collaboration and support of the Wellfleet Police and Fire Departments, who will provide valuable expertise, operational insights, and access to critical resources. The objectives of this project are to: (1) Evaluate the technical feasibility of deploying DiB systems in the Cape Cod environment, considering factors such as weather conditions, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, and communication infrastructure. (2) Assess the operational effectiveness of DiB systems in each use case, measuring improvements in traffic flow, emergency response times, and shark detection accuracy. (3) Analyze the cost-benefit of DiB implementation compared to traditional methods. (4) Investigate public perception and acceptance of drone technology for public safety and environmental monitoring. The project will yield data and associated reports detailing the effectiveness of the use of drone-in-a-box (DiB) technology, an autonomous drone system with automated launch, landing, and charging capabilities, to address these challenges.