Understanding the Sky: How DroneSpotter is Elevating Airspace Awareness in Downtown Chicago

Jan 16

As drones become more integrated into daily life, understanding their activity in urban environments is increasingly critical for safety, privacy, and planning. At DroneSpotter, we’re leading this effort with our cutting-edge Remote ID detection technology, delivering actionable airspace insights that make a difference.

A prime example of that impact is our evolving city-wide deployment in downtown Chicago. Since April 2024, we’ve detected over 3,700 drone flights, flown by more than 1,200 unique drones, uncovering patterns and behaviors that highlight the need for robust airspace awareness. Starting with just a few sensors in April, our deployment has quadrupled over the past few months, enabling us to deliver increasingly comprehensive insights across the city that can enhance stakeholders' understanding of unique dynamics and usage patterns.

Here are a few key takeaways from our deployment:

12% of drone activity occurred during nighttime hours, emphasizing the importance of 24/7 monitoring
28% of drone activity exceeded 400 feet above ground level (AGL), venturing beyond FAA altitude limits
4.8% of drone activity was detected more than 0.5 mile away from the operator, with 0.8% flying over 1 mile away, highlighting potential beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.

This deployment in Chicago represents just one piece of the larger airspace picture we’re working to illuminate. Our technology not only identifies trends but also supports proactive responses to potential safety or compliance concerns. With every detection, we’re building a clearer, safer, and more manageable view into the national airspace for everyone.

Are you curious about how DroneSpotter can enhance airspace awareness in your community? Let’s start the conversation: info@dronespotter.com.