Axon announces TASER Drone to help stop mass shootings

By Police1 Staff 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — On Wednesday, Axon announced its intention to develop a new product that will help stop school shootings and other mass casualty incidents: the TASER Drone. The TASER Drone will be a lightweight TASER payload that can be deployed on a small drone or robot, according to the release. The TASER Drone will be remote operable and able to deploy the TASER in less than 60 seconds. 

The TASER Drone aims to leverage technology to protect schools and address mass shootings, the release said. 

“Today, the only viable response to a mass shooter is another person with a gun,” said Rick Smith, Axon CEO and founder. “In the aftermath of these events, we get stuck in fruitless debates. We need new and better solutions. For this reason, we have elected to publicly engage communities and stakeholders, and develop a remotely operated, non-lethal drone system that we believe will be a more effective, immediate, humane and ethical option to protect innocent people.” 

While the TASER Drone is still under development, its features are expected to include:  

• Integration of camera networks and other sensors into real-time communications with first responders. 

• Enhance first responder effectiveness through immersive Virtual Reality (VR) Active Shooter Response Training. 

• Enable immediate threat incapacitation through remotely operated, non-lethal drone capability. 

“I believe that a remotely operated, non-lethal drone is far safer than sending an armed human being into a volatile setting. I also realize this is a transformative change, and I am committed to listening to concerns and feedback over the next several years as we move through development,” Smith continued. 

Smith will be hosting a Reddit AMA on Friday, June 3, 2022 at 1 p.m. EST to further discuss these ideas, the release said.