Thermal Drones In Public Safety
Drone technology has become a powerful tool in public safety. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are being used to help save lives in response to many situations, including search and rescue missions, law enforcement crime scenes and emergency response to natural disasters like fires or other dangerous scenarios. One of the most impactful developments in drones for this purpose is the adoption of thermal imaging sensors. UAS with thermal cameras can be used during nighttime conditions when temperatures are low enough to make infrared radiation detectable by the drone's sensor. They can also be used in situations where it is too dangerous for personnel to be present. Thermal imaging drones can see through smoke, making them incredibly useful when looking for people who may have been trapped or lost in a fire situation, including wildfires and other disasters. They can also help identify hazardous materials leaks at chemical plants or gas stations by getting a clear picture of the scene.
Thermal imaging drones are being used to help save lives in search and rescue operations by locating missing people or stranded hikers, hunters, skiers or other victims lost outdoors. The drones can fly overhead during day or night conducting a thorough search for heat signals indicating possible survivors using an infrared camera.
Public safety agencies with drone programs are saving lives and property - and drones equipped with thermal cameras are a big reason for that.
Thermal Drones in Inspection
Beyond public safety applications, drones with thermal imaging cameras are changing the face of industrial and energy inspection. This equipment is being used to reduce cost and increase safety and efficiency in construction and energy inspection and the inspection of critical infrastructures like bridges, power lines, wind turbines, solar farms, roof and pipeline inspections, and more.
State-of-the-art aerial vehicles like the DJI Matrice 300 RTK are equipped with payloads like the FLIR TZ20-R that provide high-resolution thermal images in flight that can help operators in the field identify faults in these structures before they become dangerous problems.
Thermal Drones in Agriculture
The benefits of drones in agriculture have been well documented, but beyond monitoring crop and plant health, drones can also keep track of livestock with thermal cameras. In flight, a drone with thermal imaging capabilities is a powerful tool for monitoring many different types of wildlife. Thermal cameras can detect the heat signature from an animal at a distance, providing drone pilots with data they otherwise wouldn't be able to gather.
Sheep and cattle spend extended periods of time out in large fields and pastures. Monitoring the location of herds and flocks consumes a lot of time and resources.
Tracking and monitoring livestock with UAVs allows for a wide range of management activities, including pasture utilization, assessing and responding to livestock behavior, and planning grazing distribution.
Monitoring the animals' health is another benefit of this technology. Drones can spot certain health maladies, which could allow for preemptive treatment before any illnesses spread. Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) in cattle is a common livestock disease that leads to lethargy and loss of appetite. Sheep suffering from intestinal parasites commonly lose weight, develop diarrhea, and become weak. Visually examining large samples of animals, such as farm animals, can identify these signs of disease. UAVs can also measure vital information like weight, size, and activity level.
Drones allow farmers to easily verify the security of their herd whenever they want. Drone operators can quickly check in on animals in order to determine if any are missing or injured, as well as monitor pregnant animals.
Thermal imaging helps spot predators that could injure or kill farm animals. This will ensure peace of mind for farm owners.
