This week’s “Around the Commercial Drone Industry” news round-up looks at a European study into the impact of using drones for early detection of forest fires, a new medical delivery by drone service taking off in London, and a proposed California law concerning the use of drones by law enforcement.

Drone Technology Can Improve Early Detection of Forest Fires

Researchers from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, in conjunction with the drone and sensor company Evolonic, are engaged in an investigation into the use of drones to improve early detection of forest fires. According to a Dronelife article, the team flies a UAV “equipped with a full detection system,” including “an industrial camera and a lens provided by SVS-Vistek, along with AI software developed by Evolonic.” With the ability to cover some 100 kilometers and stay in the air for about an hour, the drone fand has “a range of approximately 100 kilometers and can remain airborne for about 60 minutes.” The drone’s camera “captures images at a rate of 15 frames per second, which the AI system analyzes for signs of smoke or fire.” When a forest fire has been confirmed, Dronelife reports, “the live images and data from the drone help firefighters choose the best approach to control the fire.”

UAVs to Deliver Blood Samples in London

Drone delivery firm Wing, the UK’s National Health Service, and UK startup Apian are a launching a six-month pilot project “to fly urgent blood samples” between Guy’s Hospital and St Thomas’ Hospital in London. As reported by Tech Crunch, the project will deliver “urgently required blood samples for surgery patients who are at high risk of complications from bleeding disorders.” At present, samples delivered by conventional vans or motorbikes can take 30 minutes or more, but the projects leaders see drone-based deliveries taking less than two minutes. In addition to shorter delivery times, the project hopes to reduce “said CO2 emissions associated with blood delivery.”

“Killer Drone” Law Sparks Debate in California

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) California Action has urged state governor Gavin Newsom to sign a bill “that would ban law enforcement from deploying killer drones against the public.” An article in Government Technology details how the group reached out to the governor over concerns about the “acquisition and use of weaponized robots,” the “militarization of police forces,” and “the potential for violations of peoples’ civil rights.” The bill is opposed, the article reports, by law enforcement organizations in the state, including the California Police Chiefs Association. That group has warned that the legislation “would prevent police from using drones to deploy ‘less-lethal’ forms of ammunition, such as flash bangs” and could “put police in danger.” Newsom has until September 30 to sign or veto the bill.