Unmanned aerial inspections or UAV inspection equipment is currently the best and most comprehensive way to access difficult terrain or structures. UAVs are also used to offer security for homes to large industrial sites, farms and restricted areas. The use of UAV inspection equipment is endless.
Commonly known as drones, UAV inspection equipment works by collecting visual data of a target. The data collection is referred to as inspection. The technology powering the drone often sends the data back to base camp or home office for assessment. In these cases, once the drone sends data back to home base from its area of patrol, it is programmed to continue providing a visual inspection of the area.
A visual inspection is a careful and thorough review of every part of the area in question. The drone uses a camera which functions as the inspectors eye to collect data that is either reviewed by an algorithm that sends alerts for anomalies or a human inspector.
UAVs are also equipped with various types of sensors that collect information such as multispectral sensors that are now used in agriculture to help farmers record images of their crops over large areas. UAVs are also outfitted with thermal cameras that help identify heat signatures.
Drones are beneficial because they can be sent into areas that are difficult to access or dangerous for human beings. They have now become the first line of response in many situations and ensure the safety of all involved.
UAVs fitted with artificial intelligence technology are programmed to act when an anomaly is detected. It can sound off an alarm and pursue the anomaly to get a clear image which is sent to its base camp. Such drones are useful in securing restricted areas such as shipyards which are home to Containers housing various imported goods that need to be secured before they are collected.
Sea ports greatly benefit from UAV technology in many other ways that go beyond security. Drones allow the shipping yard to inspect containers using technology that allows them to detect any illegal substances in the shipping containers.
The Port of Hong Kong, which is one of the busiest ports in the world, handles shipping movements, cargo and passengers uses super sniffer drones to sense and monitor shipping emissions. The drones fly over the ships and scan them for emissions for two minutes, collect the data and send it to the appropriate monitor who takes appropriate action.
This system replaces the painstaking process of manually collecting fuel from the vessel’s tank and then waiting for the results from a laboratory. Such a system helps keep the environment clean and makes the system efficient, allowing appropriate action to be carried out as quickly as possible.
In the Netherlands, which is home to Europe’s largest port, sniffer drones that can travel over 10 miles from the shore and currently deployed to detect emissions from ships.
UAVs are beneficial because they can be managed remotely, which means human presence is not required, since they feed their data to the cloud which can be accessed from anywhere in the world. Drones can also be scheduled to carry out their patrols which enhances their efficiency. They also send live video feedback to the cloud or network, which allows everyone to remain updated on the current situation on the ground.
When installed to artificial intelligence, drones raise alarms which ensure a timely response.
The use of autonomous drones for security and surveillance is fast becoming a high-valued asset in all areas of life.
