Evolver DFR, powered by Drone Nerds, has launched a complete Drone as First Responder program for police, fire and emergency management agencies. Drone Nerds is a division of XTI Aerospace, Inc. (NASDAQ: XTIA), and the company made the announcement from Miami on October 22, 2026. The goal of Evolver DFR is to give agencies every piece they need to confidently send a drone to an emergency call. The program makes its public debut this week at the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Annual Conference and Exposition in Orlando.
At its core, the system ties together three products that were chosen to work as one emergency response tool. The aircraft is the Parrot ANAFI UKR GOV, the launch and recharge point is the DBOX PRT autonomous docking station, and the control layer is SkyfireAI’s FlyAura public safety software. According to the company, the setup can put live aerial video and data in front of dispatchers and commanders within minutes of a call coming in. That early view is meant to improve situational awareness, protect responders and help departments send resources where they are needed most.
“Launching a DFR program involves more than purchasing a drone. Agencies need the aircraft, software, infrastructure, training, and ongoing support to make the system part of their daily operations. Evolver DFR brings those pieces together through a single solution.” Jeremy Schneiderman, Interim CEO of XTI Aerospace and CEO of Drone Nerds
Inside the Evolver DFR Aircraft, Dock and Software
The Parrot ANAFI UKR GOV holds Blue UAS approval and carries both wide and telephoto cameras with 35x zoom, along with a 640 thermal sensor for spotting heat signatures. The aircraft protects its radio links with AES-256 encryption and is FIPS 140-2 compliant. Every flight begins and ends at the DBOX drone docking station, a climate-controlled unit built specifically for this aircraft. The dock recharges the drone between missions and is designed to keep working through heat, cold and rain.
On the software side, FlyAura lets authorized users fly missions, watch live video and share a common operating picture straight from a web browser. The platform also includes TAK integration and keeps a searchable record of every flight, so departments have a log of past missions they can look back on whenever they need it.
How Evolver DFR Supports Agencies After Purchase
The company stresses that the program goes well beyond selling hardware. The team behind Evolver DFR works with each agency starting with an initial needs assessment, then moves through coverage planning, site selection, installation, system integration and training. It also helps departments work through FAA approval processes, including Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) authorizations, so that new programs are prepared to fly safely and stay in compliance.
Day to day, the system is designed around established public safety workflows. Departments get automated dispatch, remote operations, live video streaming, advanced imaging and real-time information sharing. With those tools, incident commanders can size up threats earlier, coordinate personnel more effectively, skip deployments that turn out to be unnecessary and make better informed choices before crews reach the scene.
Every program also comes with Always Flying by Drone Nerds. This service provides expedited replacement aircraft when equipment is damaged, along with dedicated technical support, maintenance resources and operational help. The aim is to keep downtime low so departments can count on aerial response when their communities need it.
Pricing is another area where Evolver DFR breaks from the usual approach. Many traditional DFR offerings are built around ongoing subscriptions, but this program lets agencies buy a complete, multi-year package covering multiple locations on a single purchase order. There are no recurring subscription fees for the contracted solution, which the company says gives departments more predictable budgets, simpler procurement and room to expand coverage while keeping long-term costs in check.
Visitors to IACP 2026 in Orlando can see the system in person from October 24 through 26 at Booth 2761, where representatives from both SkyfireAI and Drone Nerds will be on hand. Agencies can also arrange a demonstration through the Evolver DFR website.
