Augmented Reality to Improve Drone Operations.

* First responders are using augmented reality technology from a California-based company to make their operations more efficient.

Edgybees developed software that overlays information such as street names and distress signals onto maps and live-streamed video, said Adam Kaplan, company CEO.

"We can understand where assets are," such as fire engines and firefighters, he said.

When using the technology, the responder can choose what information to display and add data points to videos in real time to allow for quick decision making, he noted. This allows the software to be used in multiple situations.

Edgybees can then leverage computer vision and machine learning to accurately display this data, Kaplan noted. The augmented footage is not only accessible to the drone pilot, but also to those with tablets or smartphones, he added.

While the software has a large number of customers in the public safety community, the company is also in conversations with the Defense Department, he said.

"The person who's on the ground can dynamically mark things. So if I'm a soldier and I have found an [improvised explosive device], I can now mark it over the video and show you that that IED may be next to that bench," he said. "Now all [of] the hundred [trucks] in back of me or the folks that are coming near will know that that digital mark is where that IED is."

To adjust the software for military applications, the company is ensuring the...