As a growing fleet of drones hover over U.S. skies, the devices are giving rise to security concerns. In some cases, the potential threat is real while others, like a 2024 UFO panic in New Jersey, are rooted more in popular hysteria. Both situations underscore the need for keeping track of drones and, on Wednesday, a fast-growing startup called SkySafe announced a novel plan for the public to help it do just that.
San Diego-based SkySafe tracks drones, and sells the data it collects to government agencies, airports, stadium operators and others. It does this by installing sensors on buildings and other locations. The sensors read the transmitters that every drone manufacturer must include, allowing SkySafe to create a real-time digital interface that shows all the drones in a given radius, as well as who is operating them. Now, it wants you to join in these efforts—and says it will pay you a share of its revenue in the form of crypto tokens.
To carry out this plan, SkySafe is conducting a pre-sale of its sensors to the public starting today. Those who purchase one for $949 plus tax will receive it by the second quarter of next year, and be able to contribute to a growing network tracking drones in the U.S. that the company is calling FliteGrid. According to the company, installing the sensor is “effortless” and only entails placing it somewhere like a roof or balcony with a clear view of the sky.
