The regular testing of rivers, lakes or reservoirs is also a constant task for water professionals. But Nixie’s drone solution is simpler, cheaper and up to four times faster than conventional solutions. The most commonly used methods for testing water quality have not changed for a long time. On the one hand, long-established solutions are still effective and accurate today, and on the other hand, sampling by professionals has been essential in this field for many years.
However, the use of machines can also be a good alternative. An example of this is the Reign Maker Nixie solution, where the developers have installed sample collection and sensor arms on a flying structure. The sample collector is a long vertical arm that is used to transfer the required amount of water into a fixed tank. To use it, you simply place the empty container inside and then guide the drone to the sampling site, where it can easily submerge the container in the water.
When the drone returns, simply remove the sample from the floating device and replace it with an empty container. The device can then fly to the next location without landing. The battery lasts for 20 minutes on a single charge, allowing two to four samples to be taken in one take-off, depending on weather and distance. Once the battery has been replaced, the aircraft can continue its flight.
For comparison, the Reign Maker is based on data from the New York City Department of Water and Power, which can collect 30 samples in a day from a boat or other method. One sample costs roughly $100 (including labor and fuel). Nixie’s method, on the other hand, collects an average of 120 samples per day at a cost of about ten dollars per sample.
Of course, the drone is not self-contained. It also requires control pilots to operate it. However, a two-man crew, for example, still represents less manpower and cost than conventional solutions. DJI’s M600 and M300 RTK drones are currently used for the job. An additional advantage of deploying automated drones is that they have precise GPS coordinates for each sampling point and do not disturb the water when diving. Experts are also working on a more sophisticated version, which would be able to monitor parameters such as water temperature, pH, harmful organisms and chemicals, thanks to built-in sensors.
The Reign Maker is currently working with the New York City Department of Environmental Conservation, but is also in talks with others. While the system will undoubtedly require an initial investment, training and a change of mindset, in the longer term it will be a quicker and cheaper solution than usual. In the longer term, the company also hopes to sell a SaaS (Software as a Service) service that would include real-time updates of water quality maps through continuous testing.
Source: TechCrunch
Recent article
Air taxi News & Articles
Autonomous Air Traffic Control Systems
Drones News & Articles
The Promise of Airborne Wind Energy (AWE) Systems Powered Drones
Drones News & Articles
Swarm Technology for Drones
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
The Global Race for Air Mobility Supremacy: Who Are the Leading Players and Innovators ?
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
The Environmental Impact of Electric Aviation: Beyond Zero Emissions
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
What Role Will Public Perception and Community Engagement Play in the Adoption of Urban Air Mobility ?
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Stratolaunch’s hypersonic vehicle launched for the first time
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
How are emerging technologies like blockchain and IoT being leveraged to enhance the safety, efficiency, and user experience of urban air mobility services ?
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Centuries-old technology could revolutionise aviation
Air taxi News & Articles
Economic Viability: Are Flying Cars and eVTOLs Economically Viable for Mass Adoption ?
Electric airplane News & Articles
The Environmental Impact of Electric Planes: Are They Truly the Greener Alternative ?
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
How Airbus’ CityAirbus NextGen Aims to Revolutionize Urban Mobility ?
Flying Cars News & Articles
Alef’s flying car preparing for take-off
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Beyond the Prototype: The Economic Viability of Electric Aircraft
News & Articles Points of interest
Achieving Market Dominance in the eVTOL and Flying Car Industry
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Enhancing Emergency Response with eVTOL Technology
News & Articles Points of interest
The first large-scale rocket backpack competition was organised
Drones News & Articles
Red Bull has created the world’s fastest drone
Flying Cars News & Articles
Alef Aeronautics’ Model A could be in production in 2025
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
CycloTech Raises 20 Million Euros for Revolutionary Aviation Propulsion System
Flying Cars News & Articles
The Switchblade Flying Car: A Milestone in Personal Air Travel Featured in Pioneering Publication
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
What are/will be the impacts of Evtol and flying cars on infrastructure ?
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Unveiling the Energy Dynamics of eVTOLs
Flying Cars News & Articles
Evolving Skies: The Surge in eVTOL and Flying Car Production
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
What are the requirements for building a vertiport ?
Drones News & Articles
The role and future of military drones in wars
Flying Cars News & Articles
What are the safety concerns about flying cars and Evtol ?
Flying Cars News & Articles
What percentage of people may use flying cars and Evtols in the future ?
Flying Cars News & Articles
How Will Flying Car Technology Evolve in the Next Decade ?
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Satellite Communications in the Age of eVTOLs
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
eVTOLs: Revolutionizing Urban Mobility with Electric Propulsion
Drones News & Articles
A drone airliner lands at Abu Dhabi airport
Air taxi News & Articles
The cost of China’s Ehang unmanned air taxi revealed
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
The Role of Electric Motors in eVTOL Efficiency and Feasibility
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Evtols and the current state of self-direction
Air taxi News & Articles
Autonomous air mobility with EHang
Flying Cars News & Articles
New jobs in the eVTOL and flying car era
Air taxi News & Articles
The Future of Air Traffic Management in Urban Air Mobility
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
FAA’s Path to eVTOL Certification
Drones News & Articles
WaveAerospace’s hybrid-electric Huntress turbojet unveiled
More articles you may be interested in...
News & Articles Points of interest
Achieving Market Dominance in the eVTOL and Flying Car Industry
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Enhancing Emergency Response with eVTOL Technology
News & Articles Points of interest
The first large-scale rocket backpack competition was organised
Drones News & Articles
Red Bull has created the world’s fastest drone
EVTOL & VTOL News & Articles
Satellite Communications in the Age of eVTOLs
The integration of satellite communication technology into the operation and navigation of eVTOLs (Electric Vertical.......... READ MORE
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
eVTOLs: Revolutionizing Urban Mobility with Electric Propulsion
Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles represent a cutting-edge frontier in the quest for.......... READ MORE
Drones News & Articles
A drone airliner lands at Abu Dhabi airport
In an age where innovation intersects with tradition, drone light shows have emerged as the.......... READ MORE
Air taxi News & Articles
The cost of China’s Ehang unmanned air taxi revealed
In a groundbreaking move that heralds a new era in urban transportation, China's Ehang has.......... READ MORE
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
The Role of Electric Motors in eVTOL Efficiency and Feasibility
The emergence of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles and flying cars represents a.......... READ MORE
News & Articles Propulsion-Fuel
Evtols and the current state of self-direction
The current state of self-direction, or autonomous navigation, in eVTOLs is a fascinating convergence of.......... READ MORE
Air taxi News & Articles
Autonomous air mobility with EHang
In an era marked by rapid technological advances, the concept of urban mobility is undergoing.......... READ MORE
Flying Cars News & Articles
New jobs in the eVTOL and flying car era
As the eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) and flying car industry edges closer from.......... READ MORE