Removing snow or ice off power lines is difficult and takes time. That’s where the FlyCart 30 drone comes into play. The FlyCart 30 drone flies over power lines and with an equipped non-conductive stick, hitting them to knock off any snow or ice. This approach seems safer and more efficient than sending out a worker to deal with this snow/ice accumulation issue, eliminating the risk of electrocution.
With dual batteries, the drone can travel 16 km (18-minute flight time) with a 30 kg payload and 28 km if it’s not carrying anything (29-minute flight time). However, the flight time decreases to eight minutes if the drone has one battery in use. It also has a wind resistance of 12 m/s during take-off and landing. Meanwhile, the drone’s top speed is 72 km/h, and cruising speed reaches 54 km/h.
Additionally, the drone has some exceptional safety features. It comes equipped with a backup battery that powers on automatically if the other batteries fail. Sensors and AI modules even help the system with GPS positioning, avoiding obstacles, precision landings, and parachute recovery. The parachute automatically deploys if there’s an emergency like motor failure. And if a signal loss occurs, the drone autonomously returns home. Meanwhile, the obstacle avoidance system relies on two radars and cameras for collision prevention.
Others have used DJI Agriculture drones to drop snow-melting agents on roofs covered with heavy snowfall. Using this method ensures that workers won’t have to go out and remove the snow, eliminating the need to climb a ladder and put themselves in harm’s way.
The HawkEye drone for potato crop monitoring. (Oregon State University)
Back in 2013, Oregon State University researchers developed two battery-powered drones designed to monitor potato crops. Weighing less than ten pounds, the HawkEye and delta-winged Unicorn drones find unhealthy plants and help farmers determine how much water, fertilizer, and pesticide to use.
These drones carry infrared cameras to find any flaws that a farmer typically can’t see. For example, it helps them determine if a plant is healthy and happy before there’s a yield reduction. And it only takes 15 minutes for these drones to fly over a 125-acre crop.
Have a story tip? Message me at: http://twitter.com/Cabe_Atwell
