Knoxville Police Deployed Skydio X10 Drones for UT Game Day Security

When over 100,000 passionate football fans pour into a stadium, ensuring their safety is a monumental task. WBIR was there and let us know what this was about. The Knoxville Police Department (KPD) just tested a powerful new tool to help them do just that, deploying a Skydio X10 drone as part of a “Drone as First Responder” (DFR) demonstration during the high-stakes Tennessee vs. Georgia game. The week-long trial was a showcase of how cutting-edge drone technology can provide an invaluable “eye in the sky,” helping to manage traffic, monitor crowds, and provide critical situational awareness for officers on the ground during a massive public event.

A Week-Long Trial with a Big Finale

The KPD’s DFR demonstration was a methodical, week-long evaluation. Initially, a drone dock was stationed at the city’s Public Safety Complex, allowing the drone to be remotely launched to assist with nearby 911 calls. The flights were piloted from the future site of the department’s Real Time Information Center, giving officers a chance to see how the system could work in their daily operations.

But the grand finale was the deployment at the University of Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium. For the massive Vols vs. Georgia game, the drone dock was moved to the UT campus. The mission: to assist with game day security, manage the inevitable traffic chaos, and provide real-time oversight of any emergency incidents that might arise in a crowd of that size. While the KPD has used drones for years to find missing people and document crime scenes, this DFR demo represents a major leap forward, testing a system that allows for a much more rapid and efficient deployment when every second counts.

The Skydio X10: A Guardian in the Sky

The drone at the center of this trial, the Skydio X10, is a beast of a machine, purpose-built for this kind of demanding public safety work. Weighing in at just 5 pounds, it can be deployed in under 40 seconds and boasts a 45-minute flight time. Its real power lies in its advanced sensor package and AI-driven autonomy. The X10 is equipped with both a high-resolution zoom camera and a powerful thermal camera, making it effective day or night. It can reportedly read a license plate from 800 feet and identify a vehicle from three miles away. Its industry-leading obstacle avoidance allows it to navigate complex urban environments safely. This is the same technology being used by police departments in cities like Miami Beach and Cleveland, proving its worth in real-world scenarios.

The Future of Event Security

The KPD’s successful demonstration is a glimpse into the future of large-scale event security. A drone can provide a perspective that is simply impossible to get from the ground. It can spot a medical emergency in a dense crowd, identify a potential security threat, or see a traffic bottleneck forming long before ground units can. As the KPD stated in their announcement, they are excited to explore how DFR technology can “improve our department’s efficiency and effectiveness and strengthen safety for our officers and the Knoxville community.” It’s a smart, proactive approach that leverages technology to make everyone safer.

DroneXL’s Take

It’s always fantastic to see a police department being so transparent and forward-thinking with their drone program. The KPD’s week-long DFR demonstration is a model for how to properly evaluate and integrate this powerful technology. Their public announcement, explaining exactly what they were doing and why, is a masterclass in building community trust.

“Real talk,” the airspace over a packed 100,000-seat stadium on game day is one of the most challenging environments you can fly in. You’re dealing with massive radio frequency interference, unpredictable winds, and the immense pressure of knowing that thousands of people are below you. The fact that this demo went off successfully is a huge testament to the reliability of the Skydio X10 and the skill of the KPD’s pilots.

This is the kind of smart, responsible drone use that moves our entire industry forward. It’s not a story about a reckless pilot getting arrested; it’s a story about dedicated professionals using an advanced tool to do their job better. It builds public confidence and showcases the immense positive potential of drones in public safety. This is a huge touchdown for the KPD and the entire drone community.

Photo credit: Knoxville Police Department Facebook