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Drones boost biodiversity at scale
CategoriesSustainable News

Drones boost biodiversity at scale

By Zarkon Group,
Drones boost biodiversity at scale

Spotted: Today’s scientists are considering whether current levels of species loss constitute a sixth mass extinction event. But what we do know for sure is that we are facing a significant biodiversity crisis. As biodiversity declines, so too does the effectiveness of entire ecosystems. And this can cause significant harm to humans in the long run, damaging our food systems and increasing the chances of infectious diseases, among other issues.  

Hoping to assist in the protection and rejuvenation of biodiversity around the world, Switzerland-based startup Inverto has developed an innovative drone-based system. The startup combines hardware and software technologies to create innovative and custom solutions to support climate restoration and agriculture. Using the drones, Inverto can sample soils, select and monitor sites, and release seeds for reforestation. 

So far, Inverto has mainly focused its efforts on mangroves, as these are efficient carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots. In December 2022, the company partnered with Delta Blue Carbon to plant 350,000 hectares of mangrove forest along the Indus River in Pakistan. And, as well as replanting mangroves, Inverto can also use its drone technologies to release beneficial insects.

Video source Inverto

Inverto is still a relatively new venture, having only been founded in 2022, but has received attention from various investors and accelerators. For example, in May this year, it received a €200,000 grant from the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre in Switzerland to help it make use of space technologies. 

The natural biodiversity that exists on our planet is precious and fortunately, innovators are working hard to protect it. In the archive, Springwise has also spotted the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor biodiversity on farmland and a startup that puts a financial value on biodiversity to incentivise more companies to protect it.

Written By: Amanda Simms

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Using drones to collect environmental DNA 
CategoriesSustainable News

Using drones to collect environmental DNA 

By Zarkon Group,
Using drones to collect environmental DNA 

Spotted: Living organisms leave behind genetic tracks in the environment – DNA or eDNA. Ecologists then inspect these tracks to catalogue biodiversity, uncovering which species are active in that area. However, while following some organisms is easy, others reside in hard-to-reach areas, often turning research into a cold case. To improve the data collection, researchers at the ETH Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow, and Landscape Research WSL have developed a drone that can land on tree branches and collect samples.

The aircraft first lands on a branch to gather the sample using a sticky strip. Then, back at the lab, researchers can extract DNA from the adhesive strip and analyse it. Finally, the team will assign genetic matches of the various organisms using database comparisons. 

But all branches are different, with varying elasticity, thickness, and sturdiness and overcoming these issues proved a challenge for the team, as landing on the branches required complex control. To address this, the researchers fitted the drone with a force-sensing cage to enable it to gauge the flexibility of the branch on a case-by-case basis and incorporate this into its landing technique. 

To date, the drone has been tested on seven tree species. But now, the team has been prompted to improve the device in the hopes of winning a competition to detect as many species as possible across 100 hectares of Singaporean forest in 24 hours. 

Springwise has previously spotted other innovative drone technologies, including a drone that can inspect and repair wind turbines, and a startup that revolutionises drone control interface.

Written By: Georgia King

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Drones that inspect and repair wind turbines
CategoriesSustainable News

Drones that inspect and repair wind turbines

By Zarkon Group,
Drones that inspect and repair wind turbines

Spotted: It is estimated that global capacity for wind power will be over 955 gigawatts by the end of 2022, with China leading the way with 359,770 turbines as of June this year. However, the large number of wind turbines across the globe also means there is a rapidly growing need for innovative wind turbine maintenance systems – especially for offshore turbines. Company Aerones has designed a system that uses drones to conduct such maintenance work.

Aerones offers inspection, cleaning, and repair services using a variety of different drones and tools. For example, its robotic cleaning system uses a powerful brush to clean dust and oil, reusing water during cleaning to reduce waste. Other drones in the company’s repertoire can repair blades using a modular tool base that can sand, fill eroded surfaces, apply protective coatings, and more.

In addition to the utility of its system, Aerones offers reassurance that the system does not take jobs away from technicians. Instead, the company says that the drones are each controlled by certified technicians “from the comfort of a warm vehicle”. In addition, it claims that the robotic tools are more precise and efficient than technicians acting alone, resulting in four to six times less downtime.

The company adds that its “unique proprietary system brings high-quality robotic services enabling our wind turbine technicians to perform inspections, cleaning, maintenance and repairs (…) Robots will allow the wind industry to turn towards fast and efficient preventive maintenance.”

Wind power is big business and is increasingly being seen as a vital tool in reaching net zero. Springwise has also spotted a floating vertical axis wind turbine and recyclable onshore turbines.

Written By Lisa Magloff

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Bee-inspired 3D-printing drones - Springwise
CategoriesSustainable News

Bee-inspired 3D-printing drones – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,
Bee-inspired 3D-printing drones - Springwise

Spotted: 3D printing is an additive manufacturing process that creates objects by building them up layer by layer. The technology has been gaining traction in recent years due to its potential benefits, which include reduced construction waste and increased design flexibility. 3D printing is particularly well-suited to the construction industry, where it can be used to create bespoke structural elements quickly and efficiently. One new approach to 3D printing, which is being developed by Imperial College London, EMPA, and other institutions, uses fleets of drones that collectively build a structure from the air.

The new system for 3D printing is called Aerial Additive Manufacturing, or AAM. Just like a colony of bees, it involves a fleet of drones working together from a single blueprint. Also like the operation of a colony, AAM consists of two types of drones: BuilDrones, which deposit materials during flight, and quality-controlling ScanDrones, which monitor the BuilDrones’ performance and inform their next manufacturing steps.

The system is designed to be scalable and modular, so that it can be used to construct everything from small buildings to large bridges. This means that AAM has the potential to be faster, cheaper, and more efficient than traditional construction methods. While the drones are autonomous, the entire process can be monitored and adjusted by a human controller.

The system was tested with four cement-like mixtures. The drones had to continuously assess the printed geometry and adapt accordingly to meet the build specifications. Next, the researchers will partner with construction companies to validate the solutions and provide repair and manufacturing capabilities.

With the advancement of drone technology, Springwise has spotted a plethora of drone-based innovations. Among these are robot forest rangers that plant trees and drones that use AI to detect abnormal patterns of gas that indicate the presence fire. 

Written By: Katrina Lane

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Drones track pollution to provide real-time air quality data
CategoriesSustainable News

Drones track pollution to provide real-time air quality data

By Zarkon Group,
Drones track pollution to provide real-time air quality data

Spotted: Calling itself a Guardian of the Air, Peruvian startup qAIRa combines static and mobile monitoring for the most up-to-date air quality information. Constant data streams help urban planners and transport managers track the environmental effects of their work, while alerting area communities to the best times of day to be outside.

With devices for monitoring indoor and outdoor air, as well as a system of drones for tracking larger areas and changing conditions, qAIRa brings diverse data together into a single platform that makes it easy to see, at a glance, any areas of concern. The platform is open source, and the company encourages feedback and suggestions for new applications of the collected data.

The system measures particulate matter, humidity, temperature, UV radiation, noise, and more, and the outdoor devices are either solar or electric powered. Already working in several locations in Peru, the company is exploring funding options to help expand availability of the platform nationally and internationally. An educational module for schoolchildren is currently being developed.

Springwise has recently spotted several other innovations focused on air quality including an air quality app that empowers users through education, air quality data for building management, and smarter, cheaper industrial air monitoring.

Written by: Keely Khoury

29th July 2022

Email: hola@qairadrones.com

Website: qairadrones.com

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A Peruvian startup uses drones and AI to help farmers make better decisions
CategoriesSustainable News

A Peruvian startup uses drones and AI to help farmers make better decisions

By Zarkon Group,
A Peruvian startup uses drones and AI to help farmers make better decisions

Spotted: Farmers have always had to contend with the vagaries of the weather, but in recent years, increasing variability and extreme weather conditions have made it even harder to maintain healthy crops. Now, there’s a new tool in the fight against unpredictable conditions.

As a leading provider of agricultural technology solutions, Space Ag is using data captured from drones and mobile sensors to generate artificial intelligence models that help farmers make better decisions. This includes maximising yields, optimising the use of resources such as water and fertilisers, and reducing the impact of pests and diseases.

Space Ag’s high-precision drones can capture aerial images of fields and provide farmers with a complete vision of their crops’ state. The drones’ precise analysis of plant health also makes it possible to improve harvest forecasts and effective field inspections. And because they can also detect irrigation problems, the drones offer a comprehensive solution for maintaining healthy crops.

SpaceAG was founded in Peru in 2017 by Cesar Urrutia and Guillermo De Vivanco. As the largest exporter of blueberries and second exporter of Hass avocados in the world, the duo decided that Peru was the perfect country to launch their company from. The pair’s aim was to transform agriculture into a sustainable industry that could feed a growing population while taking care of the planet.

So far, Space Ag has over 35 customers in seven different Latin American countries with more than 1,000 active users.

Other solutions spotted by Springwise aimed at maximising farm yields include an app that provides Indonesian farmers with real-time weather information, a startup speeds up the development of safe herbicides, and a software platform that helps farmers improve their agriculutral management.

Written By: Katrina Lane

29th July 2022

Website: spaceag.co/en/home

Contact: spaceag.co/en/contact

Reference

Drones for middle-mile delivery - Springwise
CategoriesSustainable News

Drones for middle-mile delivery – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,
Drones for middle-mile delivery - Springwise

Spotted: When we think about drone delivery, we tend to think about last-mile delivery – from the store or fulfilment centre to the customer. However, FedEx is now looking at using drones for the middle mile – from port to warehouse or distribution centre. The giant logistics company is partnering with hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft manufacturer Elroy Air to develop autonomous drones capable of delivering cargo weighing from 136 to 227 kilogrammes over distances of up to 300 miles.

The middle mile delivery will be handled by Elroy’s Chaparral hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Chaparral is equipped with all-electric propulsors, a turboshaft jet engine, and a generator, which is used to boost power during take-off and landing. The Chaparral uses lightweight cargo pods that are pre-loaded. These are then autonomously picked up by the aircraft, reducing the human workload. The drone aircraft also does not require airports or charging stations, allowing it to deliver to a wide range of locations.

Elroy Air is currently working on ways to integrate its aircraft into FedEx’s existing system. This will include tackling logistical issues such as how to decide what freight goes on the Chaparral, how many aircraft will be needed at each location, and how to organise flight times and loads for maximum efficiency.

The VTOL market is heating up, and while Elroy’s Chaparral is out ahead on development of middle-distance drones, other companies are also using drones to streamline logistics. Kawasaki recently completed proof-of-concept testing on its autonomous drone helicopter with its own last-mile delivery bot. And startup Natilus is developing an autonomous cargo plane that will be able to carry up to 3,855 kilogrammes over a distance of 1,667 kilometres. 

Written By: Lisa Magloff

14th April 2022

Email: elroyair.com

Website: https://elroyair.com/

Contact: elroyair.com/#contact

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