Direct Line creates street lights of the future with the first ever responsive 'light my way drone' prototype drone service, fleetlights

• Direct Line has collaborated with Mission Planner technology expert Michael Oborne, and other technical specialists to create new protoytpe service ’Fleetlights' -  a breakthrough in drone development
• Made up of a fleet of interconnected drones equipped with high-powered on-board lights, this service provides safer travelling, clearly lighting your way whether by car, bike or even on foot
• The prototype service enables Fleetlights to be ordered via GPS and mobile technology directly from the user’s smartphone.  The technology lights a pre-determined path ahead of the user, while responding and adapting to changes in the user’s journey
   

LONDON – UK insurer Direct Line has partnered with drone experts to create one of the most progressive usages of drones ever; a prototype fleet of flying torch drones that are responsive to an individual’s movements and controlled via a bespoke app.

Designed to provide light where street lights are lacking, the Fleetlights mobile phone app makes it simple to control the service and set your journey using your GPS location - be it walking from the train station after a late shift or the last few miles of a night time drive on unforgiving country lanes.

This advanced software is the first time the ‘Light my Way’ functionality - which sets and maintains a fixed distance ahead of a subject, rather than behind - has been used with a swarm of drones as a brand utility.

This technology also represents the first time a fleet of drones is able to respond to a subject on the ground via new ‘Rover’ technology.  This new software not only introduces new capabilities, it also allows a dispatcher to be contacted via the Fleetlights app in real-time and then dispatch the fleet on planned, way pointed missions, driven by the user.

Requesting a Fleetlight is as simple and intuitive as ordering a taxi and communication can be made in real-time between Fleet Control and your smartphone.

Mark Evans, director of marketing, from Direct Line said: “Increasingly, technology will shift the centre of gravity for insurance from restitution towards prevention. We want to lead the trend into this space and so we are always looking at innovative ways to proactively improve everyday life through emerging technologies. We felt that street lights could be much better, especially as the nights draw in. This beta technology has been created to show how a responsive light service could help people to feel safer.”

Futurologist, Dr Ian Pearson, comments: “This ground-breaking prototype technology could serve a really positive purpose in the future – providing a safer, more efficient way to light both individuals and organisations. From local councils, search & rescue teams and the emergency services right through to local cycling and running clubs, the usages are endless and I can see this being commonplace by 2021.”

Fleetlights is the first in a series of initiatives from Direct Line that will see the brand undertaking projects to improve everyday objects that impact the lives of people in the UK.
 

ENDS
 

For further information, imagery, interviews or footage please contact:

Ashley Miln   

Ashley.Miln@hellounity.com

020 7440 9810
 

NOTES TO EDITORS

Fleetlights Technical Specification

The inaugural fleet is comprised of 20 drone platforms.  The fleet has 15 standard 4 engine platforms, and when maximum illumination at high speeds is required, 5 advanced platforms are employed.  Travelling at up to 60mph, these lightweight, six-engine hexacopters carry 3 lighting units and are made using aircraft grade materials (lightweight carbon fibre materials) for the very best performance available.

Operational from any height and with a minimum beam focus of 7 metres from the ground, each Fleetlight is equipped with one or more Filiex AL250 lighting unit to provide total control and a 200W Tungsten beam for a duration of 25 minutes. 

The AL250 features special Fresnel optics designed to leverage Fiilex Dense Matrix technology. These optics focus the flicker-free beam, more than doubling its centre lux. The unit is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery which attaches directly to its housing.
 

Fleet Control: how it works

Fleet Control is a mobile dispatch centre, stationed in areas where Fleetlights are in operation.  It’s also where the fleet lives when they are not on call.  If units have expended their power, they return to Fleet Control to recharge before heading out again. Fleet Control is manned at all times to monitor and dispatch the fleet in autonomous formations using our Fleet Control software and accompanying mobile app.
 

Fleetlights App: how it works

Requesting a Fleetlight is as simple and intuitive as ordering a taxi on your smartphone. Utliising the MQTT messaging protocol – as used by popular messaging services like Facebook – communication can be made in real-time between Fleet Control and your smartphone. 
 

About Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. UK Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.

Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0345 300 7838 or visiting