MIT grad’s anti-drone tech being used at the Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon on Monday was using technology developed by an MITgraduate that warns Boston Police Department officers when drones are entering the airspace above the 30,000 marathon runners.
This year’s 26.2 mile-long course was declared a “no-drone zone” by Boston officials last week.
Brian Hearing, co-founder of Washington, D.C.-based Drone Shield, said the drone sensors listen for the sound of drones and can alert about 40 Boston police officers via email or text message about an incoming drone.
As of 2:30 p.m., Hearing said there were no drones detected at the Boston Marathon.
“We’ve had a wonderful time and everything’s worked out great,” said Hearing, who graduated with a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in engineering from MIT in 2000. “We’ve also had interest from NYPD (for the New York City Marathon), so I’m hoping this is a whole new market.”
Drone Shield, founded in 2013, is backed by about $250,000 in investor funding and has deployed about 200 drone sensors all over the world. Undisclosed celebrities, politicians and political groups use the company’s technology, Hearing said.
Drone Shield volunteered its technology for the Boston Marathon this year, but hopes to land a paid contract for next year’s marathon, Hearing said.
Drone Shield is also co-founded by engineer John Franklin.
