Gas-Sniffing DroneDog Provides Security at Indianapolis 500

Robotics security provider Asylon Robotics deployed a fleet — or pack, rather — of its gas-sniffing DroneDog 2 security robots at the Indianapolis 500 earlier this year.

The quadruped drones, built using the Boston Dynamics robot dog Spot platform, were equipped with InterceptIR remote chemical gas detectors from 908 Devices and powered by Asylon’s PupPack, a payload that includes a high-definition camera, thermal imaging, cellular connectivity and an Nvidia AI/ML processor. 

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The robots conducted autonomous patrols of the GPS-denied and communications-limited tunnels underneath the Indianapolis Motor Speedway using a secure, mesh communications network, augmented by Starlink, to transmit live video feeds and real-time chemical gas data back to an on-site emergency operations center via Asylon’s DroneIQ software. This capability helped provide situational awareness to emergency crews monitoring the event, which was attended by more than 300,000 spectators, whose personal devices saturated existing cell networks.

The DroneDog2 is capable of 90 minute patrols, after which it returns to its DogHouse, a weatherized charging system built for exterior deployments, to maintain operational readiness throughout an event. 

Related:Boston Dynamics Robot Dog Expands to Korea

“Asylon is proud to contribute to the safety and security of the Indianapolis 500 with our advanced robotic systems,” said Adam Mohamed, Asylon co-founder and chief technology officer.

“The successful deployment of these robots and associated technologies, integrated with our DroneIQ software, demonstrates the breadth of innovative ways that robotics can be used to enhance safety and security.”

The Indy 500 is not the only high-profile event the DroneDog has worked this year. The robots were also on hand at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where they worked with the Milwaukee Fire Department’s Hazardous Material Team and the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, where they were used in a variety of public safety operations. 

Together, the DroneDog and Asylon’s aerial security drone — the Guardian — have performed more than 140,000 security missions to date, the company said.