Technical deep dives and insights into aerial detection technology
A new generation of enterprise drones (DJI Matrice 4 series, Skydio X10/X10D), certified parachute recovery systems (AVSS, Skydio), and a maturing FAA framework (Part 107 Operations Over People, Part 108 BVLOS) have quietly closed the gap between “drones are interesting” and “drones are obvious infrastructure for cities.” What changed, and why it matters for decision-makers now.
Read articleWhat would it cost to match Aerbits' citywide coverage using traditional ground patrol trucks? Using Oakland's real operational data, we break down the labor, fuel, fleet, and overhead costs — and the numbers are stark: $434K for drone coverage vs. $1.26M for equivalent ground patrol.
Read articleAerbits doesn't replace city crews — it gives them the intelligence they need to work smarter. Better data means faster garbage cleanup, freeing crews for the beautification work that makes a city feel like home: mowing, weeding, painting benches, watering trees, and more.
Read articleLeading drone industry publication calls Aerbits' Bayview data "the first credible causal evidence" in illegal dumping tech, highlighting the DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise platform and rigorous methodology behind Oakland's groundbreaking pilot program.
Read articleThe most comprehensive drone-based illegal dumping dataset ever assembled in a US city. Full pipeline analysis: 37.6-hour median detection-to-cleanup, 62% dumpsite recurrence rate, waste classification breakdowns, AI training pipeline, and hardware specs across 700+ flights and five neighborhoods.
Read articleThe city's Public Works Department has put forward a six-month, $150K pilot program that would deploy AI-powered drone technology to identify and report illegal dumping across Oakland neighborhoods. Includes CBS News coverage and committee meeting video.
Read articleAerbits' patent journey for our core technology - "System and Method for Identifying Trash Within a Predetermined Geographic Boundary Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles."
Read articleFrom neighborhood meetings to a signature campaign that generated hundreds of emails to SF leadership, the Bayview community drove the program from the ground up. Features the BHNA partnership, IDCon conference presence, and the community-first model now being replicated in Oakland.
Read articleOver 13 months in San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point, AI-powered aerial monitoring produced quasi-experimental evidence of a 96% reduction in active dumpsites — and proved what happens when you stop. 125 missions, 117,793 photos, 4,376 automated reports.
Read articleAn in-depth look at how much Oakland spends fighting illegal dumping, what approaches have been tried, and why the problem continues to overwhelm city resources despite substantial investment.
Read articleLet's discuss how aerial detection can transform your city's approach to illegal dumping.