How Discovery Land Company is Optimizing Facility Operations using Autonomous Drones in the US

Discovery Land Company specializes in high-end luxury real estate development, managing exclusive residential communities where security is paramount for their members and residents. With properties spanning across the United States, the company faces significant challenges in monitoring large-scale sites efficiently while providing the highest level of security expected by their clientele. The luxury real estate market has seen a 15% increase in security technology investments over the past two years, with autonomous systems becoming a key differentiator for premium properties seeking to enhance both safety and operational efficiency.

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During one of the NestGen '25 sessions, we spoke with Edmond Jacobs, Security Systems Design Engineer at Discovery Land Company, Matt Rybar, VP of Remote Operations at UVT, and Christopher Baker, Remote Operations Solutions Engineer. The panel shared insights into how luxury real estate developer Discovery Land Company is leveraging autonomous drone technology to transform security operations and development monitoring across their properties. Here's what they had to say about their journey with autonomous drone technology:
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"Due to our very visible, very front-facing profile, security is absolutely paramount for our members and our residents who live in our communities." said Edmond Jacobs, Security Systems Design Engineer, Discovery Land Company

Discovery Land Company faced several critical challenges in managing their luxury residential developments:

• Reactive Security Monitoring: Traditional security approaches relied heavily on fixed cameras and ground personnel, creating blind spots and delayed response times to potential incidents across large properties.
• Resource-Intensive Operations: Maintaining 24/7 security coverage required approximately four security staff per position, driving up operational costs significantly while still leaving gaps in coverage.
• Development Progress Tracking: Monitoring construction and development across expansive properties required frequent third-party drone contractors, costing up to $20,000 over six months at a single location and creating delays in decision-making due to scheduling and data processing time.
• Geographic Isolation: Many of the company's luxury developments are in remote locations where third-party drone service providers are not readily available, adding logistical complexity and costs.

Discovery Land Company implemented an integrated autonomous drone solution by partnering with UVT as their value-added reseller and leveraging FlytBase's software platform. The system combines hardware, software, and integration capabilities to create a comprehensive aerial security and monitoring solution.

The deployed solution includes:

• Autonomous drone-in-box systems strategically positioned throughout the properties
• FlytBase software platform providing autonomous flight capabilities and system integrations
• Thermal and optical camera payloads for day/night security operations
• Integration with Genetec VMS (Video Management System) for unified security monitoring
• DroneDeploy integration for mapping and development monitoring

The integrated drone system operates through several interconnected steps:

• Security incidents trigger drone deployment either automatically or on-demand from the Security Operations Center (SOC)
• Drones launch from their docking stations within 10-45 seconds, providing immediate aerial visibility
• Live video feeds from both thermal and optical cameras stream directly into the Genetec security system
• All drone footage is recorded and stored on internal servers alongside fixed camera feeds for comprehensive incident documentation
• For development monitoring, the same system executes pre-planned mapping missions on a regular schedule
• Collected mapping data transfers automatically to DroneDeploy for processing and analysis
• Development teams receive processed maps and models within an hour, enabling rapid decision-making

"We were able to follow the emergency response vehicles, make sure that none of them made any wrong turns, guide them utilizing the communication system and the radios, by watching the actual path that they were taking to make sure that they were taking the quickest route to get to the incident." said Edmond Jacobs, Security Systems Design Engineer, Discovery Land Company.

The implementation process began with three initial properties receiving 24/7 drone coverage. Each site required a comprehensive approach that included regulatory compliance, staff training, and technology integration.

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Discovery Land Company worked with UVT to train their Security Operations Center personnel, making drone pilot certification a mandatory part of staff qualifications even before deployment at each site. This forward-looking approach helped address one of the most significant challenges in remote drone operations—having qualified personnel available to operate the systems. The company faced regulatory hurdles related to Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, particularly at properties near airports or military installations, requiring careful airspace planning and the strategic positioning of visual observers throughout the properties.

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"As properties develop, those funding streams develop and mature as well. I like to have this deployment at an initial startup of a property because it's essential, in my opinion, for the development and the security aspects." said Edmond Jacobs, Security Systems Design Engineer, Discovery Land Company

The implementation of autonomous drone technology has delivered significant measurable benefits across Discovery Land Company's operations:

• Enhanced Security Response: The drone system provides rapid aerial response capabilities, functioning as a force multiplier for security teams. Security personnel now have immediate aerial visibility of incidents, improving response coordination and safety. In one notable instance, the system was used during a gas leak emergency, allowing security teams to guide first responders to the location, monitor the evacuation process, and provide comprehensive documentation of the entire incident.
• Operational Cost Reduction:
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  "On the development side, it's utilizing the integrations that we have. It's cut back on our third party contracts to bring in drone companies to do mapping and imagery and provide those documents. At one of our properties on a monthly basis right now, it's probably saved us close to $20,000 in third party contracting fees over the last six months." said Edmond Jacobs, Security Systems Design Engineer, Discovery Land Company.

  The solution has reduced the need for additional security personnel during early development phases, providing coverage without the costs of staffing multiple 24/7 positions. Moreover, by bringing drone mapping capabilities in-house, the company has eliminated approximately $20,000 in third-party contracting fees over six months at just one property.
• Development Acceleration: The ability to conduct on-demand mapping missions has transformed how development teams track progress and make decisions. What previously took days now happens within hours—a mapping mission can be completed and processed for development team review in as little as one hour. This rapid turnaround has driven a 300% increase in the use of mapping data for decision-making, allowing for more informed and timely project management.
• Unified Operations: By integrating drone capabilities with existing security systems and development tools, Discovery Land Company has created a unified operational approach where the same infrastructure serves multiple departments. This cross-functional utility has improved collaboration between security and development teams while maximizing the return on technology investments.

Discovery Land Company plans to expand the drone program across their entire portfolio of properties, integrating the technology earlier in the development cycle to maximize benefits. The company is upgrading computing infrastructure at Security Operations Centers to better handle the increased processing demands of simultaneous drone and camera operations.
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"We're leaning forward and training our security operations center folks as a mandatory standard. We know that this is gonna be a deployment for us in the future. So as soon as we identify those key people for their position, we're putting that into their training profile so they can get certified even if we don't have the drone and the dock available just yet." said Edmond Jacobs, Security Systems Design Engineer, Discovery Land Company

Looking ahead, Jacobs anticipates that evolving regulatory frameworks over the next 18 months will significantly enhance their operational capabilities, particularly by reducing dependency on on-site visual observers for remote flights. This regulatory evolution will further improve the system's ability to respond to off-site requests and expand coverage areas.

Discovery Land Company's implementation of autonomous drone technology has created a dual-purpose system that enhances security while accelerating development operations. By creating a shared resource that serves multiple business functions, the company has maximized return on investment while improving both security and operational efficiency. The integration of drone technology with existing systems exemplifies how properly implemented autonomous solutions can function as force multipliers across different aspects of an organization.
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"We have momentum moving forward, and we have great case examples of proof of concept that this is a force multiplier for us, and that it meets the standard when applying our resources and our funding to the solution." said Edmond Jacobs, Security Systems Design Engineer, Discovery Land Company.

Q1. How does drone-based security compare to traditional security measures in terms of cost efficiency?

Drone technology serves as a force multiplier rather than a replacement for traditional security, reducing the need for multiple 24/7 staff positions while providing superior aerial visibility. At Discovery Land Company, the system eliminated approximately $20,000 in third-party drone contracting costs over six months at a single property while improving response capabilities.

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Q2. What technical infrastructure is needed to support remote drone operations from a Security Operations Center?

Security Operations Centers require upgraded computing hardware capable of handling the processing demands of both the existing camera systems and drone operations simultaneously. This includes sufficient processing power and network capacity to manage thermal cameras, optical feeds, and integration with security management software like Genetec.

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Q3. How do companies address regulatory requirements for autonomous drone operations?

Companies must navigate FAA regulations, including requirements for visual observers and potential BVLOS waivers. Discovery Land Company established a training program for security personnel to obtain drone pilot certification and positioned visual observers strategically throughout their properties to maintain regulatory compliance.

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Q4. What is the typical return on investment timeframe for autonomous drone technology?

While specific timeframes vary by implementation scale, Discovery Land Company saw immediate operational benefits and cost savings of approximately $20,000 in six months at just one property. The dual-use application for both security and development monitoring significantly accelerates ROI by spreading benefits across multiple departments.