
The use of drones reaches historical milestones
27 June 2024The world of drones is continuously evolving: every day, new sectors open their doors to this cutting-edge technology, expanding its range of applications.
In the context of amusement parks, we have often discussed their use for magnificent night-time shows created with fleets of hundreds of illuminated drones that float in the sky, forming various shapes and figures. However, drones, both in parks and elsewhere, can also be useful for surveillance and security purposes or for inspections (of attractions, bridges, roofs, elevated structures, large surfaces), ensuring a high degree of precision and cost savings in personnel and expenses.
Drones have brought notable advantages and improvements to agriculture too. They can disseminate pesticides, fertilizers or herbicides on crops in a fast, safe and cost-effective way, and when equipped with special video cameras they can precisely monitor crops, providing farmers with high-level data on the environment and overall plant health.
And what about aerial filming? This might be the area where these aircraft are currently most widely used, being in demand for films, promotional videos, commercials, but also for sports events, concerts, etc. With their sophisticated photo/video cameras, they can capture images from great heights, showing places and landscapes that are difficult to reach and always from new perspectives, becoming a valuable support to filming activities carried out with standard equipment.
Already in 2022, after 3 years of testing, drones produced by leading Chinese company DJI had reached the highest mountain on Earth: Everest, over 8,848 meters high, managing to capture the splendid landscapes at those altitudes and thus overcoming a very arduous technological challenge.
Now, this month, the same Chinese giant has released images of another “impossible feat” on the Himalayan peak, highlighting another use of drones. For the first time, a cargo drone replaced a sherpa, delivering a package with 3 oxygen cylinders and other supplies to an advanced base camp located on the slopes of Everest, over 6,000 meters high. To maximize the flight, the return trip was dedicated to bringing back waste, which statistically impacts the Everest ecosystem with about 8 kg per climber.
The feat was a significant challenge due to the rough terrain and even more so because of the adverse environmental conditions, with cold temperatures and winds that can reach 15 m/s.
The drone used was a “FlyCart 30” model, designed to carry up to a maximum of 30kg (with 2 batteries, and 40kg with one battery) and reach unconventional logistical destinations.
“Transporting equipment, supplies, and waste safely by drone will radically change the logistics of climbing Everest, optimizing waste removal and enhancing the safety level for all involved,” stated Christina Zhang, Senior Corporate Strategy Director of DJI.
Oscar Giacomin / General Manager, Facto Edizioni
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