Researchers at the University of North Texas developed a WiFi drone that is capable of supplying wireless Internet coverage to disaster-struck areas. The drone will be able to supply WiFi with a range of up to 5 km, a significant improvement over existing alternatives.
Natural disasters often lead to damage to communications infrastructure such as cell towers, making it difficult for response teams to communicate with each other and keep victims informed.
Whereas typical WiFi antennas usually have a range of only around 100 m, the researchers were able to extend this by developing a special directional antenna that rotates to align with targets, allowing for a stronger communications link without signal disruption.
The WiFi drone technology could even give rise to an entirely new form of wireless communication with implications beyond disaster response.
WiFi-Expanding Drones
This WiFi Drone Will Improve Communications in Disaster-Struck Areas
Trend Themes
1. Extended-range Wifi - Developing special directional antennas that extend the range of WiFi signals presents disruptive innovation opportunities for improved internet connectivity in remote areas.
2. Disaster Response Technology - Creating WiFi drones for disaster response could lead to disruptive innovation opportunities for enhancing communication capabilities in disaster-struck areas.
3. Advanced Wireless Communication - Exploring new forms of wireless communication through WiFi drones can open up disruptive innovation opportunities for transforming how we connect and communicate.
Industry Implications
1. Telecommunications - The development of extended-range WiFi antennas can revolutionize the telecommunications industry by improving internet connectivity in remote and disaster-affected areas.
2. Drone Technology - The introduction of WiFi drones for disaster response drives disruptive innovation opportunities within the drone technology industry to enhance communication capabilities.
3. Emergency Management - The use of WiFi drones in disaster response presents disruptive innovation opportunities within the emergency management industry to improve communication infrastructure during crises.