Smarter Cities Start with Data, Not Guesswork

Calum Knox • June 7, 2025

Urban planning has long been a reactive process.
A complaint comes in, and the council responds.
A problem emerges, and resources are scrambled to fix it.

But what if cities could plan proactively - using real-time behaviour, not just feedback forms?


Imagine knowing:
🚢 Where people naturally walk, loiter, or gather
πŸš— Where vehicles consistently break access rules
πŸ™οΈ How spaces are actually used - before problems arise


That’s not a guess.

It’s a data-driven reality.


A Nervous System for Your City


At RLK Group, we’re building AI-powered video analysis tools that turn passive cameras into active insights.

Our systems scan and map real-time urban behaviours - giving councils, enforcement teams, and asset managers a living, breathing behavioural map of their environments.


It’s like giving your city a nervous system:
πŸ” See how spaces are used, not just how they’re designed
πŸ“Š Spot patterns of behaviour—before they become bottlenecks or blind spots
πŸ› οΈ Plan smarter, enforce smarter, and build for the people who actually use the space


The Goldmine You Didn’t Know You Had


If you work in:
βœ… Urban planning
βœ… Asset management
βœ… Enforcement


You’re likely sitting on a goldmine of untapped data.

CCTV feeds, footfall patterns, vehicle access points - they’re all there.
But without the right tools, they stay hidden.

That’s where our AI comes in:
Turning raw footage into actionable intelligence.
Giving you the power to design better, allocate smarter, and enforce fairly - based on how people actually live in your city, not just how you think they do.


Smarter Design for a Changing World


Cities are complex, living systems.
They deserve solutions that are as dynamic as the people who move through them.


At RLK, we’re helping councils and planners see the full picture - and use it to build cities that work for everyone.

ο»Ώ

Curious how behavioural data can unlock smarter urban design?
Let’s talk about turning passive infrastructure into proactive intelligence.

artificial intelligence, data, autonomy, drones, defence, UAVs, military aid, public sector
By Calum Knox June 7, 2025
Eight minutes. That’s the average emergency response time. But what if help could arrive in just two? When someone dials 999, every second feels like forever. A heart attack. A fire. An assault. The difference between life saved and life lost is measured in minutes. But traffic, distance, and human coordination slow traditional response. That’s where the game is changing. Drones as First Responders Around the world, police and fire departments are turning to drones for faster, smarter response. These programmes aren’t experimental. They’re happening now. πŸš€ In pilot studies, drones beat ground units to the scene two-thirds of the time. πŸš€ They arrive up to 82% faster. πŸš€ And they give teams real-time situational awareness before boots hit the ground. RLK’s Approach: Faster, Smarter, Autonomous ο»Ώ At RLK Group, we’re taking the concept further. With Urban Analytix + AI-AV, response starts before the call even finishes. Here’s how it works: πŸ” Urban Analytix detects incidents in real time — a crash, an alarm, or suspicious behaviour. 🚁 AI-AV autonomous drones launch immediately — no dispatcher required. πŸ“‘ Live video feeds stream straight to emergency teams on the move. πŸ›° No GPS. No joystick. Just real-time, autonomous action — in seconds. This isn’t about replacing responders. It’s about empowering them with faster eyes, faster access, and faster decisions. Why It Matters The difference between two minutes and eight minutes? It’s everything. Faster response means: βœ… Early CPR βœ… Containing a fire before it spreads βœ… Stopping a threat before it escalates This is technology stepping up when people need it most. The Future of Emergency Response Is Already Here At RLK Group, we’re proud to build the systems that help protect lives. Not in the future. Not in theory. Right now. Because in a crisis, waiting isn’t an option. Every second counts. Want to learn how RLK’s Urban Analytix and AI-AV can transform emergency response in your city or organisation? Let’s talk — and make sure help is never too far away.
artificial intelligence, data, autonomy, drones, defence, UAVs, military aid, public sector
By Calum Knox June 7, 2025
Too much defence tech looks impressive in a boardroom. But in the field? It falls apart. We’ve seen it too often: πŸ”Œ Slow boot times when you need speed πŸͺ’ Tangled, messy cables 🧩 Controls so complex, they confuse more than they help At RLK Group, we build systems for the person under pressure - not the one watching a demo. Real-World Conditions Demand Real-World Design When you’re in the field: Adrenaline is high. Time is short. Failure isn’t an option. That’s why our systems prioritise: ⚑ Fast startup, even in freezing conditions πŸŽ’ Minimal kit, with clean, simple layouts 🧭 Intuitive interfaces - because no one should need to read a manual in a firefight Complexity Is the Enemy of Action In high-stress situations, complexity slows you down. It creates friction, confusion, and risk. At RLK, we design with a clear principle: If it’s not easy to use under pressure, it’s not ready for the field. That’s why we test with operators, not just technicians. Because the person in the fight doesn’t care how sleek the demo was - They care that it works. Human-Centred Design Is Operational This isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about operational readiness. We believe technology should adapt to the user— Not the other way around. That’s why every system we build is: βœ… Fast. βœ… Simple. βœ… Reliable—when it matters most. ο»Ώ Want to see how RLK designs for the operator, not the observer? Let’s talk about field-ready systems that put people first.
artificial intelligence, data, autonomy, drones, defence, UAVs, military aid, public sector
By Calum Knox June 6, 2025
By the time a city sees the problem, it’s already knee-deep in it. Flooding. Grid pressure. Housing strain. These challenges don’t appear overnight. But too often, we only act when it’s already too late. Why? Because most urban systems aren’t built to anticipate. They’re built to react. From Reaction to Prevention At Urban Analytix, we’re changing that. Using machine learning, we help cities spot the warning signs before they become emergencies. This means: 🟒 Predictive flood risk mapping to prepare before the waters rise 🟒 Early signals of grid stress to avoid blackouts 🟒 Tracking demand surges in housing or transport to manage pressure before it escalate. It’s Not Just About Tech - It’s About Time Technology is the tool. But the real power is in giving cities the time they need to prepare, not panic. This is the shift: 🚨 From crisis mode to πŸ” prevention mode 🚧 From damage control to πŸ›  system resilience Because the best response isn’t faster action. It’s earlier insight. Let’s Build Cities That See Ahead We don’t have to wait for systems to break before we act. We can build cities that see the pressure points—before they become pain points. At Urban Analytix, we’re ready to help cities move from reactive to proactive. From blind spots to bright spots. From knee-deep in it, to ahead of it. ο»Ώ Want to learn how predictive analytics can build smarter, safer cities? Let’s talk about turning insight into action before it’s too late.
artificial intelligence, data, autonomy, drones, defence, UAVs, military aid, public sector
By Calum Knox June 6, 2025
The future of autonomy isn’t about faster chips. It’s about smarter eyes. At RLK Group, we’ve developed a system that guides platforms through 3D space using vision alone. No GPS. No preloaded maps. No fixed waypoints. It works just like a human pilot: See → Judge → Move The Power of Real-Time Vision This isn’t a concept. It’s real. It’s tested. It’s patent-pending. And it’s set to disrupt how we think about autonomy — especially in places where: ❌ GPS signals can’t reach ❌ Pre-mapped routes are useless ❌ The environment is dynamic, unpredictable, and real Autonomy That Thinks, Not Just Follows Most autonomous systems today are rigid. They follow scripts, pre-programmed paths, or rely on external signals like GPS. But what happens when those signals drop? When the map is out of date? When the situation changes by the second? That’s where our system comes in. It doesn’t just follow. It perceives, interprets, and adapts — in real time. This is autonomy that doesn’t just go faster. It goes smarter. Built for the Unscripted World True autonomy means: βœ… Making decisions in the moment βœ… Navigating complexity without pre-planned routes βœ… Operating in the environments where others fail At RLK Group, we’re not just building technology. We’re building the systems that see, think, and act like humans — but at machine speed. Ready for What’s Next? ο»Ώ If you’re working in environments where GPS can’t reach, where maps are outdated before you start, and where adaptability is survival — let’s talk. Because the future of autonomy isn’t just about more power. It’s about more perspective.
artificial intelligence, data, autonomy, drones, defence, UAVs, military aid, public sector
By Calum Knox June 6, 2025
The biggest platforms in the world are trapped. Stuck in legacy architectures. Tied down by assumptions. Slowed by the way it’s "always been done." But the future doesn’t wait. And neither do we. Clean-Sheet Thinking for a New World At RLK Group, we don’t patch old systems. We don’t tweak around the edges. We design clean-sheet systems—built from the ground up for the world as it is now. Not the world of ten years ago. That’s why our AI-AV system throws out the old rules: 🚫 No map? Fine. 🚫 No GPS? Fine. 🎯 Target moving unpredictably? We move faster. Because disruption isn’t about chasing headlines. It’s about refusing to accept yesterday’s limits. Why Legacy Systems Hold Us Back When technology is locked into legacy: πŸ”’ It’s bound by outdated assumptions 🐒 It’s too slow to adapt πŸ›‘ It breaks when the environment shifts That’s not innovation. That’s stagnation. At RLK, we believe the future belongs to those who can: βœ… See the problem differently βœ… Design without constraints βœ… Build for the unknown The Future Needs New Foundations We’re not interested in marginal gains. We’re here to make the leap. By rethinking autonomy from the ground up, we’re building systems that: βš™οΈ Think faster πŸ“ Navigate without external signals 🚁 Adapt in real time This is more than a feature. It’s a mindset. ο»Ώ Want to know how RLK’s clean-sheet systems are redefining the limits of AI-driven autonomy? Let’s talk about what comes next — and how to get there, faster.
artificial intelligence, data, autonomy, drones, defence, UAVs, military aid, public sector
By Calum Knox June 6, 2025
What if your city wasn’t just a collection of streets and buildings — but a living, breathing system that told you where to focus? With UrbanAnalytix, that’s exactly what we’re building. Beyond Counting Footfall UrbanAnalytix isn’t just about tracking numbers. It’s the foundation for something bigger: A real-time urban nervous system. Imagine a control room where city teams can see: πŸ” Live insights into overcrowding πŸš— Alerts for unusual vehicle flow 🚢 Pedestrian conflict zones flagged — before incidents happen This isn’t science fiction. It’s happening now — in pilot trials where data isn’t just collected, but turned into actionable insight. A City That Sees and Responds Too often, cities collect data but struggle to use it in real time. That’s why UrbanAnalytix is different. It’s not about dashboards that gather dust — it’s about delivering information that helps act before problems escalate. This is about: βœ… Anticipating crowding before it becomes dangerous βœ… Spotting traffic bottlenecks as they develop βœ… Understanding how public spaces are actually used, not just how they were designed The Shift to Smarter Cities A truly smart city doesn’t just collect data. It knows how to use it. At RLK Group, we’re building systems that help cities move from passive observation to proactive intervention. Because the goal isn’t just more data. It’s better decisions — made faster, with clearer insight. The Future Is Already Taking Shape UrbanAnalytix is more than a concept. It’s already proving itself in pilot trials, turning city-wide data into real-time action. From transport networks to public safety, we’re helping cities see problems before they happen — and respond in time to make a difference. Want to explore how UrbanAnalytix could become your city’s nervous system? Let’s talk — and build a smarter, safer, more responsive urban future.
artificial intelligence, data, autonomy, drones, defence, UAVs, military aid, public sector
By Calum Knox June 6, 2025
At RLK Group, we don’t build walled-garden products. We build foundations. Our system is: βœ… Platform agnostic βœ… Outcome agnostic βœ… Vision-driven It doesn’t care whether it’s guiding: 🚁 A multirotor drone 🚜 A ground vehicle 🚒 A surface vessel 🎯 A turret system What matters is how it sees. Vision Is the Key At the core is a simple, powerful approach: πŸ‘οΈ One camera πŸŽ›οΈ One control framework πŸ”„ One live visual feedback loop This isn’t tied to a single product or sector. It’s designed to scale — across platforms, across missions, across industries. Because the future of autonomy isn’t about forcing products to fit problems. It’s about building systems that adapt to whatever comes next. Why Platform-Agnostic Matters Too many systems are locked into specific hardware, protocols, or sectors. That creates silos. It limits flexibility. And it slows innovation. Our approach? Build once. Deploy anywhere. This is autonomy that works where you need it: βœ… Defence βœ… Emergency response βœ… Infrastructure βœ… Maritime βœ… And wherever else the mission leads. The Future Can’t Be Predicted - But It Can Be Prepared For At RLK Group, we’re not just building for the needs of today. We’re building for the challenges no one has seen yet. By focusing on vision, not hardware. On flexibility, not lock-in. On foundations, not point solutions. That’s how we ensure our systems stay relevant, ready, and resilient — no matter what comes next. Curious how a truly platform-agnostic, vision-driven system could transform your operations? Let’s connect and explore how to future-proof your autonomy.
artificial intelligence, data, autonomy, drones, defence, UAVs, military aid, public sector
By Calum Knox June 5, 2025
Every car. Every footstep. Every queue. It’s all data — telling stories about how we move, where we gather, and what we need. But most of that data is either discarded or siloed. It’s there — but it’s not used. That’s where UrbanAnalytix comes in. Turning Signals Into Insight UrbanAnalytix takes the everyday signals of a city and turns them into a live, decision-ready feed for councils, transport bodies, and public planners. It’s not just about seeing what happened yesterday. It’s about understanding what’s happening right now. Whether it’s: 🚦 Traffic flows 🚢 Pedestrian patterns 🚌 Queue formation πŸ™οΈ Public space usage UrbanAnalytix connects the dots, giving cities the tools to make smarter, faster decisions that reflect the real needs of the people they serve. Better Insight = Better Service Good public service starts with good public insight. When cities can see what’s happening — as it happens — they can: βœ… Allocate resources more effectively βœ… Respond to challenges before they escalate βœ… Design spaces that actually work for the people using them The Cities That Listen Best, Serve Best Cities that learn from their own data aren’t just smart. They’re responsive. They’re resilient. They’re better at serving the communities they’re built for. At RLK Group, we’re proud to help build cities that don’t just collect data — they listen to it. And act on it. ο»Ώ Want to learn how UrbanAnalytix can turn your city’s signals into actionable insight? Let’s talk about building a city that learns from itself — and serves better because of it.