Unique use cases for mini-drones

Researchers from Western University in London, Ontario, are pioneering the use of drones paired with Bell's 5G connectivity to undertake a variety of commercial and non-commercial tasks. Led by computer science professor Anwar Haque, who is also an industry-expert-in-residence at Western's Faculty of Science, the research focuses on integrating drones into real-world applications such as hazardous space exploration, remote infrastructure inspection, cargo shipping, long-distance delivery, and home security. “It's no longer a question of whether drones are the future,” Haque stated. “Drones are the present and they are here to stay as part of our smart digital society.”

The initiative involves customizing drones from purchased parts to suit specific tasks. These drones can navigate hazardous environments that are otherwise inaccessible to humans. For example, Western has developed prototypes for infrastructure inspection that use attached LiDAR sensors to track and avoid obstacles. AI assists in image analysis to detect any damage or wear, making the process more efficient and cost-effective compared to manual methods. “Drone reliability is actually superior in terms of the accuracy of the data gathered during automated inspection,” Haque noted. “There are also reduced costs when you consider staffing hours compared to manual inspection.”

Similar to Drone Delivery Canada's operations, Western's research also aims to tackle long-distance deliveries of medical equipment and necessities to remote locations using customized drones. However, current battery and charging constraints pose challenges for completing deliveries with a single drone or within an acceptable time frame. To address this, Haque and Master of Science (MSc) student Muhammad Zakar are developing a three-part delivery system where different drones handle various segments of the route. These drones communicate with each other to confirm availability and coordinate handoffs, ensuring timely delivery for each segment. “This method ensures drones are available at the appropriate time for their segment of the delivery,” according to Western.

Additionally, the research explores the use of mini-drones for home security, a novel application for drone technology. MSc student Marlin Manka is assisting Haque with this project, which involves programming drones to scan key-interest areas in a house when it is unoccupied. These drones are designed to ignore friendly disturbances like household pets and robo-vacuum cleaners, providing reliable security surveillance. While highlighting the growing popularity of drone services, Haque emphasizes the importance of addressing safety, security, and privacy concerns for sustainable drone integration.