August 13, 2013
Florida Keys authorities are turning to unmanned aerial vehicles equipped with infrared cameras in their ongoing battle to control mosquitoes.
According to the Keynoter's Ryan McCarthy, The Florida Keys Mosquito Control District is to test a vehicle by Condor Aerial developed for the purposes of law enforcement. However, it's hoped that the drone's infrared camera could be used to identify pools of shallow water which can host mosquito larvae, allowing the water to be treated with larvicide on the ground. (Nano-drones will not be dogfighting mosquitos one on one just yet, it seems.)
The Keynoter reports that the UAV weighs 2.2 lb (1 kg), 2.5 ft (0.7 m) long, and capable of flying 90 minutes at a time. This, combined with District Director Michael Doyle's description of the UAV as resembling a hawk, suggests the vehicle is a version of Condor Aerial's Maveric UAV.
The Keynoter reports that a test flight will take place on August 26, with a Condor Aerial employee on hand to control the vehicle from the ground.
Condor Aerial's (rather macho) promo reel for the Maveric UAV is below.
Comments
And, oh yeah, (insert sarcastic tone) that'll get "FAA to rule"
I don't think it matters f they are getting paid or not. It is R&D which is a commercial endeavor.
@Acorn I bet they are getting a brief grant for the purpose of testing. The main issues seem to be around the commercial use, and as long as no one is paying for the actual flight I believe that is how they are skirting the rules.
They may also be able to bring it in as a health safety issue or wildlife conservation angle both of which may get around the commercial aspects. We can only hope they do and blur the line enough to force the FAA to rule.
Do they have FAA approval for this???
Detecting pools of shallow water: another use for the IR hacked cameras which have been around for 13 years.
Looks like a bat, but it will probably work a lot better than the Keys infamous Bat Tower, aimed at accomplishing the same thing (mosquito control) many years ago, but unfortunately an utter failure.
The idea was to provide a nice air conditioned home for bats between meals of tasty mosquitoes, unfortunately no bats ever signed on, guess they didn't like the terms of the lease.
Saw the headline and had a secret hope for a tiny laser that would zap the buggers. Maybe a miniaturized version of http://www.intellectualventures.com/index.php/inventions-patents/ou...
As a Florida resident I approve.... nothing like the insect swarms that turn your car black. Not to mention our recent rise in West Nile incidents.
Can't wait for those FLIR cameras to become hobby affordable.
Now when I take my bi-annual trip to my favorite B&B at Key West, I expect not to get bitten as much as I usually am:-)
Regards,
TCIII Admin