Florida Polytechnic University Police Becomes First U.S. Agency to Add eVTOL Aircraft, a Jetson ONE Named Astro
Why It MattersPublic-safety agencies are beginning to test personal eVTOLs as patrol tools, with the FAA approval process becoming the gating step for any wider adoption beyond a single campus police force.
The Florida Polytechnic University Police Department said it has become the first law enforcement agency in the United States to integrate an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle into its operations. The manned aircraft, named Astro, is a Jetson ONE built by California-based Jetson, and the name is a nod to the dog from the Jetsons cartoon. Florida Poly is in the final stages of seeking approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to use the aerial patrol vehicle.
Police Chief Aaron Murray said Astro can improve the department's ability to monitor campus and surrounding acres, reach areas that are hard to access by traditional vehicles, assist post-storm recovery efforts and quickly deliver emergency supplies. The department plans to work with law enforcement agencies across the region to deploy Astro in emergency response and other public safety operations. Jetson CEO Stéphan D'haene said the company fast-tracked Florida Poly's order despite a three-year waiting list, citing the university's STEM focus and the department's public safety purpose.
Astro will also serve as a teaching and research tool. The university launched a new aerospace engineering degree this fall, and faculty and students are already coordinating the use of real-time operational data from Astro for academic research and senior capstone design projects. Provost Dr. Brad Thiessen described the aircraft as a living laboratory for students and faculty.
