Although there are many efforts around the world to protect endangered species, animal poaching remains a serious problem. In order to make the most of technology to stop this kind of illegal activity in its tracks, Toby Lankford created 'Icarus 3.0,' a UAV that has the ability to spot poachers in Africa.
Some of the technology behind this incredible machine include 3D printing, image recognition, as well as cameras for thermal, multispectral and visible light content. With these tools, this means that the UAV can be used to spy on poachers from another country. What's even more impressive about this machine is that it can run entirely on green energy using solar power and hydrogen.
The open source project published to Thingverse is a contender for the 2015 Hackaday Prize.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Poacher-tracking Drones
- Drones equipped with image recognition technology could be used not only to track poachers, but also to survey wildlife populations and monitor their habitats.
- Green-powered Drones
- The use of renewable energy to power drones could offer long flight time, reducing the need to recharge, and could make the drones more environmentally friendly.
- Open-source Drones
- The availability of open source drone designs could allow for more widespread and affordable use of drone technology for conservation efforts.
Where This Applies
- Conservation
- The conservation industry could use drone technology to more effectively protect endangered species and to survey their habitats.
- Renewable Energy
- The renewable energy industry could capitalize on the development of drones that run completely on green energy sources.
- Technology
- The technology industry could benefit from the development of sophisticated drone systems for a variety of applications, including conservation and environmental monitoring.
