How Drones Are Helping To Prevent Pollution

Today, people are more environmentally conscious than ever before and are more willing to make greater steps towards creating a greener planet. Sustainable swaps like reusable straws, bags and water bottles are just a simple change for those wanting to make a difference.

There are many types of pollution, however, water and plastic pollution are some of the most known concerns which are being affected by human behaviour.

It is not just people who can help lessen the waste that filtrates into our oceans, seas and waterways… In fact, technology can help to transform the way that we approach environmental issues.

Drones are being used as a part of the evolution to prevent water pollution caused by plastic waste.

Denmark are one of the first countries in the world to kickstart a unique project in which drones monitor their waterways, searching for rubbish. The name of the project is ‘The CityShark Programme’.

"Eight million tonnes of plastic are dumped in the oceans each year, with catastrophic consequences for wildlife. 90% of the world's seabirds have fragments of plastic in their stomachs"

World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF)

What drones are used for the waste clean-up?

There are two pieces of drone technology used for The CityShark Programme. The ‘WasteShark’ (a sailing drone) and the DJI Mavic.

The WasteShark

This unique floating robot was created by RanMarine Technology in Rotterdam.

It is the first marine robot in the world! The WasteShark has ‘zero greenhouse emissions’ and is designed with ASV (autonomous surface vessels) enabling it to be ‘long-life’ and ‘anti-collision’ when roaming the waters. The WasteShark can have it’s route preset and programmed to clear the waterway, you can save the route so it can be used again! Furthermore, the GPS aspect enables the WasteShark to specific areas and return back to it’s starting point.

For further information on The WasteShark, please visit RanMarine Technology’s website.

DJI Mavic

Teaming up with the WasteShark, is the DJI Mavic.

This drone collects data when flying aerially and communicates it with the sailing WasteShark in aid to tackle trash and floating debris in the waterways. Additionally, the cameras on the Mavic help to detect oil slicks on the water’s surface. This data is signalled across to the WasteShark which then knows what route to take to clean up the pollution. DJI Mavic’s are inexpensive compared to other drones on the market. Therefore, by using the DJI it reflects how this special project can be implemented around the world at a reasonable cost.

Will this help prevent waste pollution forever?

Of course, this is not the complete global solution to stopping the waste that is destroying our planet, but it is a flight in the right direction to minimise polluting our precious planet. There is hope that this project will expand in the future throughout other countries if successful.

At Coverdrone we support anything that has a positive impact on our planet. We would love to hear if you are involved with any projects that are like this. Contact our team and let us know how you are making a change.