Their task was to ensure aerial safety due to the scale of the event and the attendance of important Czech and international figures. SIT drones detected two unauthorized unmanned aircraft in a declared no-fly zone, posing a threat to public safety and property during the Convoy of Liberty. The city plans to continue using this smart solution during major events or to help ensure air traffic safety due to the presence of an air rescue service. The technology, developed by Dronetag, is another successful solution born in Pilsen and supported through the Pilsen Innovation Ecosystem (PINE).

“Dronetag’s drone digital identification solution was deployed in cooperation with the Czech Police as part of a public safety operation. Its use is fully compliant with current legislation and privacy protection standards. Nowadays, it is essential to have an overview of airspace activity for the sake of public safety and the protection of so-called soft targets,” said Daniel Kůs, Pilsen City Councilor for Smart Cities and Business Support.

During the celebrations, Pilsen’s drone team contributed to security efforts particularly during major events, the Convoy of Liberty and the commemorative ceremony at the "Thank You, America!" monument, which was attended by the President of the Czech Republic and the King of Belgium. “Our primary task was to monitor flat rooftops of selected buildings and areas around key sites in the vicinity of the main program, and to stream aerial footage to the security staff. During the convoy, we detected two drones flying in the declared no-fly zone and immediately reported them to the operation commander,” explained Josef Navrátil, Director of the SIT Drones Division at SITMP.

The city has big plans for the innovative Dronetag solution. “We want to use this technology not only during large events to protect the public but also to support the safety of air rescue operations. Airspace is increasingly busy these days, and helicopter pilots could receive drone traffic data either via control towers or directly in the cockpit. We aim to test Dronetag in urban environments by integrating it with security control centers or by monitoring critical infrastructure such as court buildings, prisons, train stations, and more. In cooperation with the Civil Aviation Authority, we also plan to keep statistics on authorized flights. At the same time, we’re taking the first steps toward building a so-called U-space, a digital infrastructure for controlling and coordinating full airspace traffic,” said Luděk Šantora, Director of SITMP.

Dronetag’s technology is designed for airspace monitoring. “The device, together with our app, can detect a drone the moment its motors are activated. The app displays the drone operator, serial number, aircraft position, and pilot location. Since 2023, all operators are legally required to broadcast this data from their drones. Our receivers come in various sizes and ranges,” explained Lukáš Brchl, the company’s founder, whose vision is a safer airspace through innovative unmanned traffic management and digital drone visibility.

The origin of Dronetag is closely tied to Pilsen. “Lukáš and I started working together a few years ago. His startup began as a student project at a hackathon and later received support from our SIT Port. Today, the company has grown into an international leader in digital drone identification. We’re proud to call Dronetag a product of the Pilsen Innovation Ecosystem (PINE), and that its smart solution has roots in Pilsen,” concluded Luděk Šantora.

 

The City of Pilsen’s Information Technology Administration (SITMP) is a municipal organization focused on improving everyday life for Pilsen’s residents and municipal employees. With long-standing experience and deep knowledge of public services, SITMP delivers a range of technological innovations that support smart city development. Through the Pilsen Innovation Ecosystem (PINE), it helps make life easier in the region, fosters talent, and inspires entrepreneurship. In addition to providing IT services, SITMP includes the Robotics Center, SIT Drones, and SIT Port, which manages the TechTower city technology park. The organization is actively engaged in numerous European and international projects, representing the West Bohemian metropolis.

The original press release in Czech can be found here.