FLIR Systems has introduced the FLIR MUVE C360, which the company describes as the industry’s first multi-gas detector built specifically for UAS.

Currently compatible with the DJI Matrice 210 UAS platform, the MUVE C360 is designed to change the approach of emergency response teams when they are dealing with chemical, industrial, or environmental incidents by providing a new level of safety, significantly reducing time to action, and delivering a more complete assessment in situations where time is of the essence. 

“First responders are constantly seeking better and safer ways to do their jobs, and from the moment the FLIR MUVE C360 arrives in the market, the chemical and gas monitoring process will change forever,” says Jeff Frank, senior vice president at FLIR.

“In the time it normally takes first responders to don proper equipment, the C360 has already arrived on scene, tested samples, and located the source of a hazard. 

UAS pilots can use the new MUVE C360 to conduct an initial assessment of a scene before putting response teams at risk. The C360 is equipped with a photoionization detector, as well as a suite of advanced electrochemical sensors that provide real-time continuous monitoring of a variety of chemical hazards.

With this capability, emergency response teams can remotely assess situations, and select the proper personal protective equipment. Before entering active scenes, fire crews will be able to monitor the air quality surrounding these scenes, and industrial experts will be able to perform inspections in hard-to-reach areas with relative ease.

The MUVE C360 will also allow operators to understand the flow of hazardous vapors both at the source and in the air. The detector bypasses difficult terrain, and enables response teams to quickly draw a perimeter and map known hazards, while preset alarm thresholds help scene commanders or security operators make quick decisions.

“With greater accessibility to drone technology than ever before, the purpose-built MUVE C360 will provide response teams with improved situational awareness that can help save lives and livelihoods,” Frank says.

FLIR has also introduced FLIR VueLink, which is a pilot flight application that provides UAS operators a plug-and-play interface to the MUVE C360. FLIR says that the app also includes advanced flight-control and interface with the FLIR Cloud.