Drones Across the Water

By Sonja Betschart

In many areas of nature conservation, robotics can be a game changer. Today drones enable researchers and conservationists to create quickly and cheaply their own high-resolution maps and 3D models that can then be used to analyse information and to answer questions relating to the environment. Drones are also an excellent tool for tracking poaching activities and acquiring imagery that enables researchers to analyse inaccessible areas and count animals. And tomorrow, marine and terrestrial robotics will add another layer of tools to conserve our environment more effectively.

Before co-founding WeRobotics, Adam Klaptocz and me have been setting up and running drones-for-good related projects with DroneAdventures since 2013. Having also been active in nature conservation - one of my passions - it was an evidence for me to take the lead on conservation related projects. My last DroneAdventures project before starting WeRobotics brought me to the Seychelles with one of the leading marine conservation organisation, the Save Our Seas Foundation. The goal of this project was to establish not only a base line map of a protected atoll but also to experiment on how drones can be a game changer to marine conservation. 

Read all about this project in the latest edition of Save Our Seas Magazine here.

Today, I am very excited about running the EcoRobotics program for WeRobotics as it allows me to join all of my passions: nature conservation, technology and empowering local populations in developing countries by helping them to set up their own businesses.