Bush Summit: How Hollywood drone technology can aid families and emergency services during storms, fires and floods

From the big screen to the bush, an Aussie-based drone company has engineered a potentially lifesaving innovation with Optus to provide a reliable mobile network during natural disasters.

From the big screen to the bush, a Melbourne-based drone company has engineered a potentially lifesaving innovation to provide a reliable mobile network during natural disasters.

Optus and Nokia are working with XM2 to roll out the tried-and-tested Tether Drone System in Australia to aid families and emergency services during storms, fires and floods.

Acting as a portable telecommunications tower, the Tether Drone System delivers 4G and 5G coverage, voice and SMS service across a 2km radius in disaster zones.

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A partnership between Optus, Nokia and XM2 uses drones to get mobile reception back online in rural areas hit by natural disasters. Picture: Mark Stewart

The system, described as a “network in a box”, has already been deployed during the deadly wildfires in Hawaii in 2023 and during damaging hurricanes in Texas last year.

XM2 has worked on Hollywood blockbusters Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean, James Bond and Mission Impossible.

But Stephen Oh, the chief executive of the company based in Oakleigh in Melbourne’s southeast, said they pivoted when commissioned by US telco giant Verizon to come up with a drone system capable of helping networks during disasters.

The system can carry a load of up to 15 kgs and operate at altitudes of up to 120m for up to seven days.

The drone system can carry a load up to 15 kgs and operate at altitudes of up to 120m. Picture: Mark Stewart

“It’s a specialist tool … it’s a tool that every telco should have at their finger tips,” Mr Oh said.

Optus chief technology officer Tony Baird said he saw strong potential for the technology to improve preparedness and response during natural disasters.

“The solution I’m seeing today with the tethered drone, with the tripod mounted small cell gives me confidence that we are seeing some more innovation we can use in our network,” Mr Baird said.

Mr Oh’s fascination for drones came from flying model planes and helicopters. He worked with friends to build a bigger drone which he pitched to filmmakers, envisaging it as perfect for big-scale productions, ultimately putting XM2 at the “pointy end” of aerial cinematography.

James Mare - Head of Engineering, Beau Damon - Principal Product Manager, Luke Annells - Chief Remote Pilot, from Optus - Jayson Grool, Optus Local General Manager Victoria and Tasmania pictured with one of the drones. Picture: Mark Stewart

“Moving into the industrial space, everything is about being straight lined and square, it’s a lot more simple for us,” he said.

“But if we didn’t get into cinematography, then we wouldn’t have made this drone.”

Nokia senior vice president of mobile networks Jae Won said the sad reality was natural disasters were an ever increasing threat, and technology companies had to help mitigate the impact.

“Connectivity is absolutely critical in these situations,” Mr Won said.

Originally published as Bush Summit: How Hollywood drone technology can aid families and emergency services during storms, fires and floods