Drone Research
Autonomous drones count Antarctic penguin colonies in record time
Counting penguins is a difficult job. Research scientists need two full days to map the location of 300,000 nesting pairs of Adélie penguins on Antarctica’s Cape Crozier, using helicopters and hand-flown drones. Additionally, the flight windows for these labor-intense surveys…
Researcher makes drones smarter, team-oriented, and situationally aware
A researcher makes drones smarter, team-oriented, and situationally aware as part of an NSF-funded project to allow UAVs, taking into account various situations, to track themselves and each other.
Off-the-shelf drones to detect dangerous jellyfish in Australia
Off-the-shelf drones are tested in Australia to see if they can be used to detect dangerous jellyfish. the research project specifically focuses on the Chironex fleckeri, a massive jellyfish that can kill a human being in less than three minutes.
Drones help dolphin reproductive research at University of Hawai’i
Drones aid the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa’s Marine Mammal Research Program (MMRP) and Dolphin Quest as they are conducting a scientific study aimed at better understanding the health of dolphin populations.
Groundwater tracking drone used by URI researchers to monitor salt ponds
A groundwater tracking drone is used by the University of Rhode Island researchers to monitor salt ponds. Leaking septic systems, damaged underground infrastructure, excessive fertilizer use, and other land uses can contaminate groundwater. However where that water and the contaminants end…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) recognizes plastic waste in drone photos
A group of universities and startups in Japan have tested the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to recognize plastic waste in drone photos.
New drone project aids sea turtle conservation in Florida
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has teamed up with aviation leader Northrop Grumman and the Brevard Zoo to launch a new drone project or unmanned aircraft-based surveillance effort, to improve sea turtle conservation along Florida’s Space Coast.
Autonomous drones fly complicated maneuvers using onboard sensors and AI
In partnership with Intel, a team of researchers from the University of Zurich has enabled autonomous drones to fly complicated maneuvers using only onboard sensors and AI.
Drones help researchers study blue whales’ foraging strategy
Drones help researchers from Oregon State University study blue whales’ foraging strategy at the ocean’s surface in New Zealand.
Booz Allen Hamilton finds no unauthorized data transfer from DJI drones
A study from Booz Allen Hamilton in partnership with PrecisionHawk concludes there has not been any unauthorized data transfer from DJI drones, that were previously used by the US government, to the Chinese drone maker or government. You can download…
Drones strike airplane in Hungarian collision tests with minimal damage
Check out this video, in which three different drones strike an airplane in tests for the Hungarian Hub in Aviation, Legter.hu. Two of the drones that are sacrificed in the test are Phantoms from DJI. The airplane that was used…
Atlantic bluefin tuna measured with an APH-22 hexacopter drone
In the Gulf of Maine, researchers use an APH-22 hexacopter drone to collect data and measure juvenile Atlantic bluefin tuna. The purpose of this pilot study was to see if a drone could keep up with the fast-moving tuna and…