Drone of the Unmanned Systems Research Laboratory (USRL) of the Cyprus Institute (IKY), during an observation flight for possible outbreaks of fire, spotted a malicious attempt. Τhe drone approached the spot with the result that the perpetrator was forced to extinguish the fire, before it spread.

At the same time, the pilot of the drone informed the Police and pointed the spot to the members of the local Police Station Peristeronas, who undertook the further investigation of the case.

According to a press release, the whole project is part of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Department of Forests and the Cyprus Institute, which concerns the continuous development of unmanned aerial system technology – known as drones, in order to prevent, detect and manage fires.

It is clarified that the USRL, which is part of the Center for Excellence in Climate and Atmospheric Research in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East (CARE-C) of the Cyprus Institute, has a unique know-how in the construction and development of boats of all dimensions and multiple possibilities.   

The drones manufactured at IKY for environmental surveillance purposes, in an extremely close and productive collaboration with the Department of Forests, are flexible and economical, with automatic take-off and landing capabilities and equipped with video / thermal cameras and are ideal for continuous surveillance and fire protection purposes. inaccessible areas.

It is also reported that the system that serves the needs of the Department of Forests, was developed in its entirety at IKY and consists of a unique combination of a fixed-wing unmanned aircraft for aerial observation purposes, and a super-flexible and fast quadcopter for on-site direct controls. .

Both overhead systems are fully compatible with ground-based ground control and autopilot software designed and developed by the USRL software development team, optimized for emergency monitoring and response applications.

It is noted that the drones of the Cyprus Institute are expected to be utilized in the near future by the Cyprus Police, in close cooperation with the Department of Antiquities, to locate archaeologists and gravediggers, which will contribute to the protection of our cultural heritage.

Source: CNA

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