A New Horizon in Security

When the line between safety and vulnerability blurs in the blink of an eye, first responders rise to the challenge, braving chaos to protect lives and property. But even the most dedicated teams have their limits-distance, availability and safety concerns can hinder effective action. What if the next evolution in safety didn’t arrive in an emergency vehicle?

Nightingale Security is bringing this possibility to life.

Its autonomous aerial security systems redefine rapid response by merging speed, foresight and precision. Intelligent drones provide real-time surveillance when human presence isn’t feasible, covering vast areas swiftly and ensuring no critical angle goes unmonitored.

The drones serve as powerful force multipliers, enhancing the effectiveness of security teams and integrating into operations across commercial facilities, critical infrastructure, educational institutions and emergency response scenarios.

“Just as physical security is a team sport, our technology unites the right players, expertise and technology, through our drone as first responder (DFR) capabilities. This synergy delivers a level of security that transcends the limits of traffic or terrain,” says Jack Wu, CEO.

Nightingale’s drones also work harmoniously with a network of advanced sensors and systems. Motion detectors, thermal cameras and other smart technologies act as the eyes and ears on the ground, instantly triggering drones to respond to potential threats. This integration creates seamless coordination between Nightingale’s autonomous aerial systems and the broader security infrastructure, delivering a unified, efficient, responsive and safe network.

Reflecting on the importance of these advancements, NYPD Interim Commissioner Donlon notes, “We are at the forefront of these exciting innovations today, and we must always keep seeking out the benefits of new and improving technology. DFR program is part of this evolution. It enables our highly trained officers to be even more responsive to the people we serve and to carry out the NYPD’s critical work in ways that are increasingly effective, efficient and safe for everyone.”

Ever-Vigilant, Ever-Ready

With an alarm or 911 call, the autonomous threat response system activates, dispatching a drone within seconds. Live video is streamed directly to the security team, providing immediate access to critical information like suspect descriptions, vehicle movements and potential hazards. Real-time insight allows responders to understand the situation before they arrive, enabling quick and effective action.

“Saving time means saving lives. It’s not just about getting eyes on the situation quickly but arriving with the information needed to act decisively. Often, the mere presence of a drone serves as a deterrent, signaling to suspects that their actions are already under surveillance,” says Jack.

The advantage is particularly vital in active shooter incidents. Integrated with gunshot detection systems, DFR drones provide law enforcement with an aerial perspective to assess the scene before entry, enhancing safety for both officers and civilians. In fire emergencies or mass casualty events, drones offer aerial views that identify injuries, vehicle damage and other hazards. They scan buildings to pinpoint individuals needing rescue and send emergency teams directly to their locations.

This capability has become an integral part of modern crime-fighting strategies. “This is now part of our crime-fighting apparatus, and it is truly a game changer,” says NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry.

“It is an exciting approach to emergency response that increases our operational efficiency while making everyone much safer. These strategic advantages are the future of policing in New York City and the nation.”

Infrastructure Security, Elevated

The ability to quickly gain visual access is essential not only for emergency responses but also for protecting critical infrastructure, such as power plants, water resources and large industrial complexes. Human patrols often fall short when faced with the sheer size and complex terrain of these facilities. Spanning acres with forests, rivers and diverse structures, these areas present challenges that are difficult to monitor effectively on foot or by vehicle.

Nightingale’s drones, equipped with robotic AI intrusion detection systems and advanced thermal cameras, provide round-the-clock surveillance with precision beyond human capabilities.

“Thermal cameras are standard on all our drones, ensuring nothing escapes our watch, no matter the time of day,” says Jack.

Continuous, autonomous surveillance mitigates human error, significantly reduces false alarms and ensures security teams focus on genuine threats. For large perimeters, such as Kirtland Air Force Base, which spans over 50,000 acres, drones offer a unified security solution. Integrating seamlessly with ground-based radar and perimeter sensors, they provide immediate visuals when a breach occurs. The swift, automated response enables security personnel to identify, track and rapidly neutralize threats.

Nightingale’s technology goes beyond threat response. It also focuses on proactive prevention. Scheduled autonomous patrols allow security teams to create repeatable, fully customized missions tailored to a facility’s specific needs. Patrols can be designed with detailed paths, timings, altitudes and camera angles to ensure comprehensive monitoring. This automated presence guarantees continuous protection and minimizes the need for human oversight.

Ready For Takeoff, Rain Or Shine

A drone is only as effective as its ground station-and Nightingale’s are built to ensure every drone in the fleet is always mission-ready in under 30 seconds.

More than just a docking hub, each ground station serves as the operational nerve center, ensuring seamless coordination and continuous vigilance. Installed in secure locations like rooftops, these stations feature industrial-grade, weather-resistant aluminum, providing the durability and strength needed to handle the harshest conditions.

Nightingale drones take off, land and recharge autonomously using advanced computer vision and infrared beacons. After completing a mission, the drone returns to its base station, where it charges through gold-plated contact points. This reliable contact charging system works even in extreme weather.

Ground stations support 24/7 drone operations, equipped with heating and cooling systems to maintain optimal drone performance in any climate. In colder regions, specialized stations offer enhanced heating and ice-melting capabilities.

Nightingale is distinguished by its edge computing platform, which processes all data locally within the base station, eliminating cloud dependence. This setup keeps data secure behind a firewall and ensures operational resilience. If one drone or station encounters an issue, the remaining fleet continues functioning without disruption. Redundancy is baked into the system. If a drone’s battery runs low during a mission, another drone automatically takes over.

With Mission Manager software, security teams can control the fleet from anywhere, easily launch drones, monitor live feeds and receive alerts in real time. Combined with Nightingale’s comprehensive maintenance and upgrade program, which predicts potential issues before they arise, the system ensures minimal downtime.

“With a Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, customers always have the latest technology. When upgrades come along, like extended flight times or improved sensors, Nightingale ships a new drone to replace the old one, without extra cost,” states Jack.


Nightingale’s RaaS model covers all aspects of maintenance, repair and upgrades (MRU), so customers can rely on their drones as seamlessly as any other tool, without the burden of upkeep. This approach protects against technology obsolescence, ensuring that security teams stay equipped with cutting-edge capabilities while focusing on what matters most-enhanced safety and response.

Taking Flight Where It’s Needed Most

It’s easy to build something that works once; it’s much harder to build something that works consistently. Nightingale overcame this challenge during a decade of development, refining its technology to deliver reliable performance every time. Established in 2014, Nightingale was one of the first drone-in-a-box companies. Its journey involved relentless innovation to understand customer needs, identify unique challenges and adapt the technology accordingly. These edge cases became the bedrock of the product, transforming it into a robust and dependable solution trusted by organizations that demand top-tier security.

Today, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) uses Nightingale drones as first responders, integrating them with gunshot detection systems and 911 computer-aided dispatch to ensure rapid and effective responses.

Highlighting this advancement, Mayor Adams remarks, “New York City is flying into the future as we keep New Yorkers safe. While the ‘Drone as First Responder’ program is what precision policing in the 21st century looks like, drone potential is really just taking off. We are leveraging the latest technology to enhance the NYPD’s emergency-response capabilities, remotely sending drones to the exact longitude and latitude of where an emergency call comes and sometimes in as little as a minute. These drones will mean more efficient policing and will help increase the safety of our responding NYPD officers and New Yorkers.”

Beyond law enforcement, Nightingale partners with Halliburton on critical infrastructure and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) to secure vital utilities-demonstrating its reliability and versatility across sectors.

Always ready, always vigilant-Nightingale is redefining the future of security operations. With autonomous drones, resilient ground stations and an unwavering commitment to excellence, its systems anticipate threats, respond rapidly and adapt to evolving challenges, providing comprehensive protection in any scenario. Whether securing critical infrastructure or acting as first responders, Nightingale’s proactive, intelligent approach has set a new benchmark for the industry. For businesses that cannot afford to compromise on safety, Nightingale is a trusted partner, proving that the sky is indeed the limit.