A patent-pending UAS that allows drones to be dispatched autonomously by 911 operators called FIRST iZ has announced a partnership with KnackForge to create control systems hardware and software for its FIRST Port drone port, as well as its launch ecosystem.

Founded in 2011, KnackForge employs development teams across the world. Through this strategic partnership, KnackForge handles the details involved with safely and successfully launching a UAS from a smart hangar, or port, that keeps the UAS charged and ready to fly within seconds of a known need. This involves bringing together power and control hardware with software to remotely manage all scenarios that may occur.

“We are thrilled to partner with a person who is not only the most detail-oriented person I know, but also a longtime friend,” says Phil Burks, founder of FIRST iZ and CEO of The Genesis Group.

“We are creating new things together every day and KnackForge excels at beyond the box thinking that makes it possible. Everything they do enables our collaboration to be a perfect recipe for success.”

The FIRST iZ ecosystem begins with FIRST Port, which is a smart, weather-protected, temperature-controlled drone port that houses the UAS between flights. The system also includes a novel navigation software package called Genesis PULSE for autonomous drone operation and UAS designed for optimum flight times to arrive first on a scene.

The newest FIRST iZ UAS models includes a folding-wing hybrid Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) drone. Designed to cover large distances and to be deployed to incidents as fast as possible, the UAS is capable of 90-minute flight times and upwards of 75 miles per hour flight.

The second model is a quiet quadcopter with a one-hour flight time. It is designed for surveillance use, or times when hovering for extended periods is needed. In an effort to help save time and lives, FIRST iZ envisions deploying its technology to more than 3,000 municipalities over the next seven years. 

FIRST iZ will debut its FIRST Port, Hybrid VTOL, and Quadcopter during AUVSI XPONENTIAL from October 5-8.