TOPR implements automated DJI drone docks for Tatra Mountain rescues

The Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue (TOPR) service in Poland has completed a six-month pilot program using automated DJI Dock stations to enhance emergency response in the Tatra Mountains. The testing involved DJI Dock 3 and the new battery-swapping Dock 4, located at Morskie Oko, the Valley of Five Polish Ponds, and TOPR headquarters in Zakopane.

By utilizing these automated docks, pilots can remotely launch drones such as the Matrice 4TD and Matrice 5TD to reach high-altitude locations, including Poland’s highest peak, Rysy, in approximately six minutes. This rapid deployment allows rescuers to conduct aerial reconnaissance, assess accident sites, and provide instructions via loudspeakers before ground teams arrive. The drones are equipped with thermal cameras for nighttime searches and can deliver essential items like headlamps or automated external defibrillators (AEDs).

During the testing phase, the equipment operated in rain and wind gusts of up to 45 mph. TOPR reported that the technology has significantly increased the number of drone-assisted missions, rising from eight in 2021 to 61 by September 2024. The service plans to potentially expand the dock network to additional locations, such as Kasprowy Wierch, in the coming years.