Forest patrolling drones developed to protect the environment

The forest patrolling drones, developed by the college Department of Aeronautics’ Aerial Robotics Laboratory, can shoot sensor-containing darts onto trees several metres away in cluttered areas like tall forests, where placing sensors for ecological monitoring can prove difficult.

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Equipped with cameras to help identify suitable targets and a smart material that changes shape when heated to launch the darts, the drones can also perch on branches to collect data themselves, acting as mobile sensors.

Sensors for forest monitoring are used to track changes in temperature, humidity and light, as well as the movements of animals and insects. They can also help to detect and monitor forest fires and can provide valuable data on how climate change and other human activities are impacting the natural world. It is hoped that the new drones will be used in future to create networks of sensors to boost data on forest ecosystems, and to track hard-to-navigate biomes like the Amazon rainforest.