R&D for Drone Surveillance System - Indeema’s Case
Short Overview
Hover Hero is an early-stage startup exploring connected drone technology to improve surfer safety. The concept focuses on real-time aerial threat detection and instant mobile or wearable alerts, bringing IoT-driven awareness to open water environments.
Project Details
- Industry: High-Tech, Consumer IoT
- Team: 1 iOS, 1 Embedded, 1 PM
- Lifetime: 2025
- Services: R&D Services
- Client’s Location: USA
Project Background
The client came to us with a concept for a compact, lightweight drone designed to provide smart situational awareness. The idea was to equip it with a camera and a radio module capable of recognizing specific objects and instantly sending alerts to the user’s smartphone or wrist-worn device. The focus was on creating a practical solution for real-time field monitoring — fast, responsive, and easy to deploy. This formed the basis for what would evolve into an intelligent drone surveillance system aimed at increasing safety and operational efficiency without adding complexity.
What was the customer's request?
- The client requested a proof-of-concept for a custom drone capable of hovering and autonomously following a user at a height of around 10 feet. The system had to simulate object recognition using a video projector that displayed moving shapes on the floor. Once detected, the drone would send haptic alerts to multiple wristbands and share snapshots via an iOS app. The app also allowed users to adjust the drone’s altitude and access basic controls in real time. This combination of real-time tracking and interaction formed the core of the concept.
What did the client already have?
- At the start of the project, the client had only a high-level idea of how the drone should function and interact with users. There was no system architecture, selected hardware, or software components — just a vision. Our team started from scratch: defining the architecture, choosing components, and shaping both firmware and software. This groundwork turned an early concept into a structured development path.
Solution We Delivered
Where did we start?
We built the proof of concept using Indeema’s existing hardware platform to speed up development. To avoid custom firmware at this stage, we integrated open-source flight software like Betaflight or iNAV. The focus was on testing stability, flight control, and basic communication. This lightweight setup made early validation faster and left room for future upgrades. It also confirmed the feasibility of building a full-scale drone surveillance system.
Requirements phase
We ran a series of workshops with the client to clarify the product vision and align on functionality. These sessions helped prioritize features and uncover new user needs. As the dialogue evolved, both sides gained a deeper understanding of how the system might be used. Several new use cases were documented, setting the stage for a focused, user-driven development process.
Specification phase
At this stage, we formalized the system’s technical and functional structure through two key documents: a Functional Requirements Document and a System Design Document. These outlined the architecture, hardware and firmware stack, connectivity logic, and edge processing design. We also detailed how the surveillance drone would interact with the iPhone app and Apple Watch, ensuring a seamless user experience. The documentation served as a reliable blueprint for development. It helped align all stakeholders and reduce uncertainty going forward.
The Team Involved In The Project
IOS
1
Embedded
1
Technical Lead
1
Project manager
1
Project Challenges And Our Suggestions
Optimal Hovering and Tracking Distance
Finding the right distance for the drone to hover or follow the user required balancing smooth movement with hardware and budget constraints. We ran real-world tests with the client to evaluate different configurations and ensure reliable flight behavior. As a result, we defined a stable “follow me” mode that didn’t overload system resources while maintaining safety and performance.
Real-Time Object Recognition in Motion
Detecting objects while the drone is in motion introduced challenges like camera shake, motion blur, and changing lighting. We addressed this by implementing lightweight AI-driven threat detection methods optimized for edge processing. This allowed the drone to recognize shapes and movement patterns in real time without sacrificing responsiveness.
Impact
The R&D phase delivered by Indeema helped the client build confidence in their idea and present it as an opportunity for investors. With a functional concept and clearly demonstrated technical feasibility, the client was able to showcase the potential of their product to a broader audience. This led to growing interest from potential investors, expanding the startup’s visibility and opening new doors for partnerships and future funding.
Before And After Cooperation With Indeema
Before:
High-level concept of a “companion drone”
After:
Validated concept of a companion drone that detects threats and sends alerts to mobile and wearable devices.
Structured system architecture with hardware and firmware stack;
Set of technical documentation from engineering perspective;
Selected drone platform with flight control and connectivity modules;
Defined mobile and wearable app interaction;
Clear object recognition flow and notification logic;
Project development plan with future feature extensions.
Technical Highlights
Technologies
SWIFT
C/C++
Python
Silicons
STM32F405
Silicon Labs EFM8BB21
Espressif ESP-32 C6
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