Using Drones for Clearance of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Methane Detection

In a webinar organized by WeRobotics on Thursday, March 16, 2023, the stage was set to showcase the transformative potential of drones in two critical areas: unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance and methane detection. Speakers from SPH Engineering and Senegal Flying Labs unveiled groundbreaking insights from their collaborative methane detection project conducted in Senegal, a remarkable initiative supported by the World Bank. 

Hosted by Klaudyna Wrochna, who leads the Drone and Data team at WeRobotics, the webinar featured presentations from industry professionals with expertise in drone technology and software solutions. These were:

1. Alexey Dobrovolskiy: The first speaker in the webinar, Alexei is a co-founder and the Chief Technical Officer at SPH Engineering, a multi-product drone software company and UAV integration services provider. Alexei is known for introducing several globally recognized solutions in the drone industry, including software for managing drone shows and drone-based industrial products.
2. Adja Aminata Mbengue: A co-founder and project coordinator at Senegal Flying Labs, Adja is passionate about supporting women's and children's rights in Senegal. She is actively involved in improving the living conditions of her fellow citizens and works on various projects that benefit the community.
3. Maty Diankha: The technical brain and geomatics expert at Senegal Flying Labs is also a drone pilot, and she plays a crucial role in implementing drone-based solutions for various projects.

The webinar discussed two interesting projects related to drone applications. The first part focused on the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) using drones equipped with magnetometers or electromagnetic impulse detectors, and Alexei presented the technology and its limitations. UXOs are explosive items, such as projectiles or bombs, fired but did not detonate as intended. They can pose a significant risk even after the end of the conflict. Drones with magnetometers or metal detectors can help detect and locate UXOs, making it safer and faster to clear affected areas.

The second part of the webinar focused on a methane detection survey conducted by Senegal Flying Labs. Adja and Maty presented the project, which aimed to quantify methane emissions in a landfill area in Senegal. The team used a drone equipped with sensors from SPH Engineering to measure methane levels, providing data to understand and address potential health risks to nearby residents.

The webinar concluded with a Q&A session to address questions from the audience. Both presentations showcased the potential of drone technology for various applications, ranging from hazardous material detection to environmental monitoring.

This webinar served as a powerful convergence of innovation and action, highlighting the immense potential of drone technology in making the world safer. Thank you to our SPH Engineering and Senegal Flying Labs speakers for sharing their time and expertise. 

If you're eager for more cutting-edge insights into drone technology, we invite you to explore a treasure trove of webinars on the WeRobotics YouTube channel.