University of Advancing Technology's Official Technology Blog

Drone enthusiasts at UAT aren’t just leisurely flying the latest technology for fun—they’re contributing to groundbreaking advancements in how drones can be used to combat crime through a growing alliance with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (MCSO). The MCSO drone team’s collaboration with UAT dates back to 2018, as the team has incorporated drone technology into their operations for surveillance, evidence collection, search and rescue, and other uses.

The MCSO drone team’s latest visit to UAT’s technology-infused Tempe campus included a demonstration and display of multiple iterations of drone technology, in the form of drone equipment ranging from massive wingspans of seven feet to near-micro-size drones for more covert operations.

UAT students don’t just get to observe this drone technology, but also talk to the MCSO drone team to offer insights on how the dozen or so drone models on display could be used in innovative ways. For example, UAT students previously offered a suggestion to use signal boosters or repeaters in order to expand the drones’ range.

“UAT students are the future of this technology moving forward,” Brad Licking, Drone Commander for the MCSO said, explaining why the UAT insight is so valuable. “Anybody that's around this type of tech, we kind of consider ourselves nerds. We love showing our stuff off, we love people coming out and flying. And anything that we can do to bring extra technology into the Sheriff's Office, it just helps our overall mission of serving the citizens of Maricopa County.”

In addition, Licking noted that the MCSO could benefit from observing innovations UAT students are working on in 3D printing, an emerging technology they’d like to implement in their work.

Licking reports that the MCSO drone team plans to continue to collaborate and gather insights from UAT students in the future.

“We'll come back to UAT every time you guys invite us—we love to share this stuff. You can see how much drone technology has changed throughout the years. And so we know next year, the students are going to be even smarter than they are today. And we're going to try to pick your brains as much as we can!”