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Kespry launch new fully-automated drone

US drone maker Kespry has launched the Kespry Drone 2.0, an automated drone that can operate autonomously, reducing the need for costly additional training.

Kespry says it aims to make drone-mapping systems that are easy to use and can be deployed on a large scale without costly extra training.

The Kespry Drone 2.0 can take off, fly a predetermined path, record and transmit aerial data, avoid obstacles and land completely autonomously. The little drone weighs in at under 2kg which qualifies it as a ‘micro UAV’, a deliberate move from Kespry to make regulatory compliance around the world as simple as possible.

Kespry says the Drone 2.0 can fly for twice as long and cover twice the ground that its predecessor could. The new battery gives over 30 minutes of flight time and the drone can cover an area of over 60 hectares at a height of around 120 metres.

The drone has an on-board LiDAR sensor that can automatically detect and avoids objects such as trees, cranes and buildings. A lightweight Sony UMC-R10C camera then captures the geospatial data.

“The new lightweight Sony UMC-R10C is designed specifically for industrial applications leveraging low weight while maintaining high-quality image capture,” Sony director of visual imaging John Monti says.

Images and data captured by the drones are wirelessly uploaded to the ‘Kespry Cloud’ software, where a number of reporting tools can be used to generate 3D models, 2D contour maps, cut and fill measurements and other important site information.

Construction materials supplier Lehigh Hanson has taken on a number of the drones and has been impressed with the result.

“With the lighter and faster Kespry Drone 2.0, Lehigh Hanson sites will be able to map larger areas faster,” said Mike Moy at Lehigh Hanson’s Mike Moy says.

“The expanded ground coverage and obstacle avoidance will allow the plants to more effectively manage their inventories, safely assess mine pits, and help control costs.”

 

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