In early 2019, the French Defense Innovation Agency (AID) launched the PRODEF challenge with the support of the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), the French government defense procurement and technology agency. The challenge was launched in order to enable French subject matter experts (SMEs) to propose innovative technology solutions to the challenges faced by the Ministry of the Armed forces in their mission to protect and defend air bases.

Axon announced that it received orders from five law enforcement agencies to provide body-worn cameras.

AT&T Communications and Microsoft announced an extensive, multiyear alliance where the two companies will apply technologies, including cloud, artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G, to improve how people live and work today and in the future. Microsoft will be the preferred cloud provider for non-network applications, as part of AT&T's broader public-cloud-first strategy and will support AT&T as it consolidates its data center infrastructure and operations.

FLYMOTION and Tomahawk Robotics partnered to bring enterprise-class robotic control solutions to the public-safety and government markets.

Motorola Solutions acquired mobile video provider WatchGuard. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Inpixon, an indoor positioning and data analytics company, signed a definitive agreement to acquire Jibestream, a provider of indoor mapping and location technology.

A new alliance has formed to promote public safety’s use of drones. The DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Alliance non-profit will advocate for and support the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as drones, for public-safety missions and announced its inaugural 40-person board of advisors.

oneM2M, the global standards body for the internet of things (IoT), appointed a new chair and regional vice chair of Asia for its marketing and communications committee, as it continues to expand its presence in global IoT standardization.

Is your public-safety organization considering adopting a drone or unmanned aerial system (UAS) program? One key factor an agency must consider is what type of permit is best to operate its program under.

Southern Communications Services, doing business as Southern Linc, applied for an experimental six-month special temporary authority (STA) to conduct technical trials using spectrum in the 3.5 GHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) band from specified locations in Alabama.