Florida Polytechnic University (FPU) introduced a $150,000 electric flying police vehicle this week, reportedly the nation’s first, designed for patrols and emergency response.
The university in Lakeland, Florida, announced this week that it has added “Astro,” a Jetson ONE Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, to its police force. The aircraft is powered by multiple electric propellers and can take off and land from any surface.
It has a top speed of about 63 mph and a 20-minute flight time on a single charge, according to Fox 13 News. Astro will be able to carry a pilot weighing up to 210 pounds and will fly at an altitude of about 400 feet.
Police see potential for emergency response
The technology has great potential to improve how police respond to different situations and access hard-to-reach locations, Florida Polytechnic University Police (FPUPD) Chief Aaron Murray said.
“Advanced air mobility is a technology on the rise, and we can either choose to be proactive or reactive as it develops,” Murray said in the university’s official announcement. “We want to stay at the forefront of this technology and understand how it can be used to advance public safety and airspace safety altogether.”
The FPUPD intends to use Astro for campus surveillance, searching for missing people, storm recovery, and delivering emergency supplies, Police1 reports. Murray added that FPUPD will also look to partner with other area law enforcement agencies to explore various uses for the advanced aircraft.
Students will help test the flying police vehicle
Astro will also serve as a teaching tool for the aerospace engineering program at Florida Polytechnic University. Student researchers at FPU are currently finishing up the attachment of external emergency lights on the flying car. In the future, most of their work will be in collecting and analyzing flight data.
“At Florida Poly, we want our students working with emerging technologies before they become commonplace,” said Dr. Brad Thiessen, Florida Poly’s provost. “Astro gives our students and faculty a living laboratory where they can analyze real-world data, tackle new engineering challenges and help shape the future of advanced air mobility.”
Despite the manufacturer working for three years to deliver the Jetson ONE aircraft, CEO Stephan D’haene told Bay News 9 he prioritized Florida Polytechnic University’s order over other customers because of its educational and public-safety purposes. The company’s website reported in September 2026 that its entire 2025 and 2026 production had already sold out
FAA approval is still required
While Florida Polytechnic University has officially added the $150,000 flying police vehicle to its on-campus police fleet, more work remains before it can take to the skies for official police work. Bay News 9 reports that FPU is expecting FAA approval by November or December 2026 to begin flying.
Although it is years from becoming a standard mode of transportation for police on patrol, Florida Polytechnic University is helping pave the way for electric aircraft in various public safety applications.
“Connecting an educational component to this technology is a big deal,” Murray said. “We are a technology university, and this aerial vehicle delivers more opportunities to learn, build partnerships and explore ways to keep our airspace safe, while connecting the work of our police department directly with our students.”