According to DJI Enterprise, the Polish Mountain Volunteer Rescue Service TOPR ( Tatrza ń skie Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe ) is rapidly transforming its emergency response methods in rugged mountainous areas with the help of a new generation of automated drone technology.
In Shenzhen, China, on November 3, 2026 / PRNewswire / — Due to the steep mountains, deep valleys, and harsh winter conditions, the Tatra Mountains pose significant challenges to search and rescue operations. With the help of the new generation of automated drone technology from DJI Enterprise, TOPR is accelerating its emergency rescue efforts in these complex areas.
On the basis of successfully integrating DJI Dock and DJI Enterprise devices of level 3, TOPR has recently launched a pilot project equipped with the newly launched DJI Dock 4. This concept is groundbreaking for mountain rescue: before the ground rescue team sets off, drones are deployed from automated platforms on the rooftops first.
TOPR, the rescue personnel and head of network technology, Marcin J said, "In some places, it is completely impossible to reach by car, bicycle, or even snowmobile in winter." He mentioned that usually, just assembling a mountain rescue team and trekking to the starting point of the hiking trail can take up to two hours. To overcome this critical bottleneck, TOPR turned his attention to the sky.
This rapid deployment allows drones to reach the accident site mentioned in the report within minutes, rather than hours later. Jó zefowicz said, "Most importantly, we can assess the situation before initiating on-site operations." This fast aerial reconnaissance enables the duty personnel to determine whether rescue is truly necessary, how many volunteers should be dispatched, and what equipment is required.
Upon arriving at the scene, DJI Matrice 5TD assisted TOPR in establishing contact with the ground personnel. Rescue workers could use their speakers to give instructions and ask if help was needed, while hikers responded with gestures. If the other party indicated no need for help, the rescue team could then continue searching in other areas. In a completely dark environment, advanced thermal imaging fusion technology provided the operators with clarity close to that of daylight, allowing them to locate the hikers' headlamps as well as read the details of the terrain at the same time.
To overcome the mountainous terrain that often blocks standard communication signals, the experiments conducted by TOPR creatively utilized the DJI O4 video transmission ground station network. By installing relay stations on observation towers and remote peaks, drones are able to fly continuously between these relay points. Jó zefowicz stated: "This infrastructure allows us to extend the range of our aerial operations to neighboring valleys."
Leveraging automated flight triggers and hangars that allow battery replacements within 25 seconds, supporting continuous operations, TOPR is exploring the ultimate future of mountain rescue. In addition to the tasks currently being carried out, this automated fleet is also testing its potential for daily risk reconnaissance and trail monitoring. For the volunteers of TOPR, the ultimate goal of this continuous innovation is clear: to reach the injured more quickly, safely, and efficiently in the rugged Tatra Mountains.
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Regarding TOPR:
TOPR ( Tatrza ń skie Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe ) is a volunteer service organization dedicated to mountain search and rescue operations, responsible for search and rescue work in the Tatra Mountains region of Poland, with its headquarters located in Zakopane, Poland.
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