Eric Brock, Founder and CEO of Ondas Holdings, recently spoke with DroneTalks CEO Eszter Kovács. Known for pushing the boundaries of innovation, Ondas has been making significant strides through its subsidiaries, American Robotics and Airobotics. Their solutions are redefining what's possible in security, inspection, and emergency response.
At the heart of the conversation were Ondas’ technologies the Optimus System and the Iron Drone Raider. These groundbreaking platforms are setting a new standard for persistent operations and counter-drone capabilities. Eric also discussed cities’ changing needs when it comes to drones and how government departments within cities can benefit from a solution like the Optimus System.
Ondas Holdings serves as the parent company, overseeing its primary business unit, Ondas Autonomous Systems (OAS). OAS is the platform through which Ondas deploys advanced technologies globally. Within OAS, there are two subsidiaries: American Robotics, a U.S.-based drone services provider headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland responsible for distribution in the US, and Airobotics, a robotics platform development and robotics services group based in Tel Aviv. Airobotics focuses on developing core technologies like the Optimus System and Iron Drone and preparing the products for market across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
Ondas is experiencing a record year, securing two major programs of record with a prominent military customer. The company received $14.4 million in purchase orders in the third quarter, $9 million for the Iron Drone platform and $5.4 million for the Optimus System.
How Ondas are envisioning the future of urban drone deployment
Discussing autonomous drones in cities, Eric outlined how a governmental agency in Dubai exemplifies how cities can integrate drone technology into public safety infrastructure. “I think it’s fair to say they are leading the world in utilizing drones for emergency response in a big city, and we’re very proud of that because they’re deploying our systems as infrastructure.”
Dubai is currently deploying Optimus Systems, which are primarily used for public safety and emergency response. The drones respond to calls within moments and provide critical data on the appropriate resources needed while the police may be stuck in city traffic.
This deployment represents a transformative approach to urban security. The Optimus System’s versatility offers a promising future for the use of autonomous drones as infrastructure within cities, offering nine different payloads including thermal, LiDAR, and delivery.
Eric shared how the system can open up new possibilities for cities. “Once that infrastructure is deployed, they can offer these services to other government agencies. So it's not just a police force; it's also fire, it's also the maritime ports, it can be the airports, and it can be utility infrastructure for security and inspection.”
The system is designed to operate as an intelligent aerial network, offering a range of automated data solutions for public safety. Optimus drones can operate as a taskforce to simultaneously collect and provide critical real-time information for a variety of customer requirements. This makes it ideal for city usage, as Eric discussed, as it means different government departments are able to benefit from the infrastructure swapping out sensors or cameras for the appropriate mission within the dock.
The Optimus System: Redefining autonomy for critical infrastructure
The Optimus System is more than just a drone. It's a fully autonomous platform designed to operate in demanding environments. “What’s particularly valuable with the Optimus System is the functionality in the dock itself,” explained Eric. The sophisticated docking station features robotic arms capable of swapping both batteries and payloads.
This capability is especially crucial in high-stakes environments. “The swapping of the battery means that the drone is available 24/7,” Eric said. The system allows drones to return, recharge, and redeploy autonomously, creating a seamless cycle of operation.
Beyond security, the Optimus System serves a wide range of applications. “You can swap a LiDAR or a thermal sensor on if you want to do inspection, mapping, or surveying,” Eric noted. This versatility also makes the system invaluable for industries such as ports, utilities, and large construction sites where 24/7 security is paramount, but other applications such as inspection can be adopted. From maritime ports to semiconductor plants, the Optimus System ensures critical infrastructure is not only secure but efficiently managed.
Iron Drone Raider: The future of counter-drone defence
As the use of drones proliferates, so do the threats posed by hostile UAVs. The Iron Drone Raider, a state-of-the-art counter-drone solution, is designed to neutralize threats when traditional jamming methods fall short. The Raider intercepts and captures hostile drones autonomously.
The system integrates seamlessly with various detection technologies. “Iron Drone Raider is a counter-drone platform…we capture the hostile drones,” said Eric, highlighting its role in a multilayered defence strategy. The Iron Drone Raider, currently deployed in military operations, has the potential to play a crucial role in homeland security and protecting critical infrastructure. Eric emphasized its capability to safeguard high-risk locations such as airports, stadiums, and nuclear power plants, highlighting its importance in these environments.
Eric pointed out that “almost all city operators are very concerned with the threat of hostile drones.” In regions facing heightened security risks, the Iron Drone Raider as a dual use technology plays a pivotal role in protecting both military and civilian infrastructure.
The beginning of a new era for autonomous drone technology
With platforms like the Optimus System and Iron Drone Raider, Ondas is setting a new benchmark for reliability, adaptability, and security in urban and industrial environments. Eric’s insights reveal a landscape where autonomous drone systems are transitioning from experimental tools to essential infrastructure within the urban environments.
As cities and industries face growing challenges, from ensuring public safety to maintaining critical infrastructure, autonomous solutions are set to play a transformative role. These technologies are not only meeting today’s demands but also paving the way for broader adoption across sectors, driving efficiency and resilience in ways previously unimaginable.
Ondas’ pioneering work exemplifies how innovation can bridge the gap between current operational needs and the future vision of smart, connected ecosystems.
