Drone research

There are many reasons for drones to be quick. The professional drone racing circuit aside, speed bodes well when you are searching for survivors on a disaster site, or delivering cargo, or even inspecting critical infrastructure. But how do you get something done in the shortest possible time with limited battery life when you have to navigate through obstacles, changing speeds, and altitude? You use an algorithm.

So, you think drones are revolutionizing surveying, mapping, and inspection tasks? That will start to sound like old news once you find out what researchers in New Zealand are teaching drones to do. Two University of Canterbury academics are enabling drones to use hazardous precision tools in midair for a variety of complex industries.

Despite surging tech advances that allow drone makers to both reduce craft size and increase their onboard capacities, one vexing problem remains: The more apped-up uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) are shrunk down, the less able they are to withstand adverse events like wind gusts and collision. That may soon change.

Tourists flock the Falkland Islands for their stunning landscape, beaches, and magnificent bird life. But the scientists who routinely need to visit the rocky, uninhabited outer islands to keep an eagle eye on bird colonies often do that with an albatross around their neck (well, not literally).

There are drone catchers and then there is Tular – a patented device that can launch and recover drones from any moving vehicle autonomously. And it can do that at speeds of over 65 mph, even during windy conditions! Ready for a deeper look? Let’s go…

English researchers say video taken by drones has allowed them to uncover unprecedented information on the social behavior of killer whales. Among those findings: Orcas form best friends with specific individuals in their pod.

Denmark’s adorable harbor porpoises are the reason why people say good things come in small packages. And typically, these wide-eyed, curious creatures are seen on their own. But new drone footage shows that not only do porpoises like to hunt together, but that each animal in the group takes on a unique, very specific role while hunting.

A modified drone design is about to make the hard, dangerous work of harvesting coconuts a whole lot easier. At least for those who actually pick the delicious one-seeded drupes for a living.

A team of German researchers is teaching drones to hunt for human screams. And while that sounds quite grim, nay terrifying, the technology is being developed for an extremely good cause.

The insect world, consisting of up to 10 million species, is vital for the survival of most life on Earth. Worryingly, though, these invertebrates are vanishing from the planet at an alarming yet. This is why researchers are now developing drones that will track and follow insects in real-time to fuel conservation efforts.

Today is June 1, which means the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season has officially begun. And to get a better sense of how bad these coming six months could get, the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is sending out drones to hunt hurricanes.

A sensor-dragging drone has Georgia’s Wormsloe Historic Site abuzz. Hopes are that the craft may uncover sentry boats sunk in the surrounding bog that were used to spot hostile Spanish troops at the outset of the American Revolution.

The number, frequency, and severity of wildfires have increased dramatically across the world, impacting economies, ecosystems, and communities significantly. But now, new research finds that sensor data from drones and internet-of-things devices can enable early wildfire detection with over 99% accuracy.

Belgium wants to use drones to study areas for potential radioactive contamination and to monitor nuclear radiation during crises without any human intervention.

They have mesmerized us umpteen times with their beautiful, synchronized movements in the open night skies. But can drone swarms fly indoors, avoiding obstacles and without hitting each other?

Learn why oil and gas regulating agencies are turning to drone magnetic surveys for locating unmarked wells in Ohio…

Aircraft collisions with birds and other wildlife are a growing concern for aviation safety across the globe. According to data from the Federal Aviation Administration, wildlife strikes killed more than 292 people and destroyed over 271 aircraft between 1988 and 2019 globally.

For marine scientists, undertaking research into sea mammals like dugongs in remote locations has always been difficult. But now, drones are helping to make marine conservation efforts more affordable, accessible, and reliable.

It may look harmless, or even peaceful, at first. But Sosnowsky’s hogweed is a demon in disguise. So now, drones are being called on to solve one of the most complex detection problems faced by agriculturists in Russia.

It’s been just over 400 years since the original Mayflower dropped anchor near the tip of what is now Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in late November of 1620. Now, a new Mayflower – substantially updated, of course – will embark on a new voyage of discovery.

Drones are playing an instrumental role in helping scientists to document and tackle climate change. And the latest example of their resourcefulness comes from Northern Ireland, where researchers are using drones to understand what birds see when they look down.