FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Autel
Robotics’ Drone Helps Scientists with Volcano Research
Autel
EVO Lite+ UAV handles tough high altitude volcanic environment,
supports new research findings
Washington, United
States, February 27, 2023
- An Autel Robotics drone was used by a scientific team
of international academics to document activities on Irazú Volcano in
Costa Rica. The Autel EVO Lite+ drone was selected by the scientists
because of its high-quality sensor and durability, making it an ideal
solution for conducting professional research with an Unmanned Aerial
Vehicle (UAV).
Volcanic
winds no problem for drone
The EVO Lite+ was able to fly safely through 17 knot winds and can be
used in conditions up to 37 knots, making it a perfect fit for the
high-altitude project. The drone was piloted by Ian Godfrey, a
certified FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot, who is SINAC Certified for UAS
(Unmanned Aircraft System) operations in National Parks. The scientific
team gathered vital data without complications and reported that the
drone performed supremely well, despite the high altitude volcanic
environment at 3432 meters above sea level with notable windy
conditions.
“Personally I really like the sensor and overall durability of the
drone,” Ian Godfrey commented. “We operated in many complex
environments, and the drone performed perfectly. These factors allowed
us to gather the necessary data without complication. The drone
performed wonderfully in high altitude volcanic environments and had
great wind resistance, making it both an economical and ideal solution
for conducting professional research with a UAS.”
Insightful
new data gathered
The scientific team used the Autel EVO Lite+ drone to document several
aspects of the Main Crater of the Irazú Volcano, including lake water
levels, areas of mineralization or crystallization, potential vents
degassing volcanic emissions – and that no subaquatic fumaroles were
found. They also checked for areas that might suffer from future rock
falls and for areas of increased risk of erosion or cracking within the
main crater of the volcano.
Drone
features ideal for task
The perfect balance of power, durability and portability, Autel’s EVO
Lite+ camera drone can stay in the air for 40 minutes, and features
cinematic flight modes and camera settings to fully utilize its
professional-grade camera. In challenging natural environments with
cloud reflection challenges, ultra wide angle obstacle avoidance helps
navigate easily around obstacles such as trees and rocky outcrops.
Pilots can enjoy crisp, clear visuals with Autel SkyLink and a
transmission range of 7.4 miles. Autel’s moonlight algorithm also
provides excellent low-light performance.
Autel Robotics is proud to have cooperated on this scientific research
project and hopes that it demonstrates the viability and practicality
of using affordable consumer drones for professional research. The EVO
Lite+ UAV was proven capable of creating 2-D maps and 3-D models of
volcanic geological features, and the team is continuing to use these
drones in the field.
For more details of this research, please visit:
https://publish.mersin.edu.tr/index.php/uav/article/view/740
About
Autel Robotics
Autel Robotics is a team of industry professionals with a genuine
passion for technology and years of engineering experience. Since its
founding in 2014, Autel has always striven for customer-driven
innovation and is continually working to raise the industry standard
for drones. The company’s headquarters is in Shenzhen, the heart of
China’s tech industry; it also has R&D bases around the world
including Seattle, Munich, and Silicon Valley. For more information,
visit www.autelrobotics.com,
or
follow Autel Robotics on Facebook @autelrobotics,
and Instagram @autelbotocis,
or subscribe to the Autel Robotics YouTube Channel.