Birdstop and TSPS Launch Drone-Monitoring for Trucking Operations in Detroit

Birdstop, a leader in autonomous American-made drones used for 24/7 monitoring, announced it has begun monitoring trucking sites in Detroit using AI-powered drone technology. The initiative partners Birdstop with TSPS, Inc., a Detroit-based truck parking and lot management company. Together, they are combining drone-based sensing with a real-time parking platform to address persistent challenges across U.S. freight corridors by reducing search times and improving safety.

The U.S. trucking industry moves roughly 73% of the nation's freight by weight and generates more than $900 billion in annual revenue. Truck parking shortages remain a significant challenge, contributing to driver fatigue, inefficiencies, and safety risks. The industry employs more than 8.4 million people, including approximately 3.5 million professional drivers.

Birdstop has deployed drone systems at two Oasis Parking locations in Detroit. The system captures aerial imagery and telemetry data processed using AI and computer vision models to detect trucks and identify available parking spaces. These insights are integrated into a visualization platform and made available through the TSPS platform, providing real-time parking availability.

"America runs on the trucking system," said Keith Miao, Founder and CEO of Birdstop. "Working with TSPS, we're using drones to modernize networks that move billions in goods daily."

"Partnering with Birdstop allows us to extend coverage using a flexible, drone-based approach that delivers real-time operational insight," said Carl Rundell, CEO of TSPS.

This initial deployment represents the first phase of a broader effort to validate and scale drone-based infrastructure monitoring across the nation. The same drone network could support future applications including infrastructure maintenance, emergency response, and roadway operations.

The project is funded through the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform and administered by NextEnergy in partnership with Michigan's Office of Future Mobility and Electrification.