Three out-of-sight uses for drones

The ability to fly beyond the visual line of sight means more than delivery drones – and there are plenty of ways that unmanned air vehicles can be used beyond lugging packages. Here are three ways they’re being put to good use

REMOTE CHECKUPS

British startup Sees.ai is working on remote piloted drones for situations when GPS isn’t available or a human must be in the loop, such as construction sites, oil rigs, or in response to a security incident. For example, a Sees.ai drone can be left on an oil rig and then controlled by a pilot back at headquarters for emergency use or inspections, such as checking hazardous areas. For construction and infrastructure projects, Sees.ai imagines that drones will be used to capture data via repeated aerial surveys of a site at a low cost and with little risk.

AUTOMATED SURVEYS

Canada is big, and that means surveying it takes effort. However, working with Quebecbased MVT Geo-Solutions, flight system maker Iris Automation has come up with a better idea: sending up a smart drone made by Applied Aeronautics to map a region using Lidar, infrared cameras and other tech to look for potential spots for mineral mines. That trial, conducted in March 2020, was the first beyond the visual line of sight test in Canada, although the same Iris Automation system was used to check power lines in Kansas the year before.

SEARCH AND RESCUE

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is taking part in a CAA project called Pathfinder to develop and test drones for search and rescue and anti-pollution surveys. The Hermes 900 drones being used in the tests during September were originally designed for military use by Israeli manufacturer Elbit Systems. They have a wingspan of 15m, weigh more than a ton and come equipped with satellite communications and radio beacons. The trial ran from Aberporth Airport in Wales and saw the drones used for simulated water rescues and a long-distance ship rescue.