Kia’s PV5 Electric Van Now Launches a Drone for South Korean Police Duty

Officers from the Seoul police force pull up in a crowded alley, where the sound of feet echoing between the buildings is almost deafening, in their high-tech vehicle powered by the quiet electric power of its motors, before, like a jack-in-the-box, a panel at the top of the roof slides open and a sleek little drone rises up to scan the lay of the land from above. This is Kia’s latest project, and it was developed in close collaboration with the Korean National Police Agency, with experimental operations due to begin in only a month.

The PV5, a practical electric vehicle built to navigate busy delivery routes and complete tasks, served as the foundation. Kia built on the same sturdy base and electric power as before, but included all of the safety elements required by the police. The paint job is stylish black and white, with large blue and yellow markings that clearly indicate the van’s duty while parked at a scene. A big light bar runs along the top of the van, flashing as needed, and despite all of the extra equipment, the overall design remains clean and modern, with the standard bright LED lighting still in place.

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The game changer is the top section, which is an extended housing that remains hidden until the police need it. Then a panel slides back, a platform appears, and the drone, which is equipped with a thermal imaging camera and can zoom in 90 times, takes off, all while the officers remain in the vehicle. It’s a fairly slick piece of gear, and once it’s finished exploring the area, the drone flies back down to the roof and recharges directly from the van’s electrical system.

The van is equipped with three high-resolution cameras, providing officers with 360-degree surveillance. Even as the van is traveling through traffic, the cameras continue to film, and all of the footage is relayed to screens within the cargo area, allowing cops to view what’s going on from the comfort of their seats. To make things even better, the installed software does some really intelligent things, such as identifying persons in a crowd based on their clothing, detecting anyone with a weapon, and alerting anyone on the ground who may require medical assistance. Even growing smoke or sudden crowd pressure are detected, and the crew receives an instant alert.

A 71.2-kilowatt-hour battery powers the entire operation, along with a zippy electric motor producing 161 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The standard driving range is roughly 350 km (217 mi), however, as expected, the top structure adds considerable wind resistance, reducing the total in police trim. Don’t worry, Kia left the battery and drivetrain alone, so the van retains superb efficiency and plenty of power.

The project’s true goal was to provide the police with the tools they needed to complete their duties without putting more officers in danger. The Korean National Police Agency sought to respond faster in congested urban areas and have a better understanding of what was going on without endangering more lives. This means it will be deployed as part of the Metropolitan Preventive Patrol Unit, where the crew will test it on real-world streets beginning in June.
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