Sensor Maintenance by Drones

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Researchers found a new way to remotely charge sensors using radio waves, a technology that could benefit many sectors, mainly the agriculture field. 

Agriculture is one of the largest industries to benefit from drones. Equipped with computer vision sensors, a drone can take on the job of crop inspection. Adding a tank and spray nozzles also allows it to perform selective application of pesticides. 

The new invention is a drone that can wake up and even recharge environmental sensors using radio waves during a flyby. This could provide a new way to manage a large number of sensors with ease.

Joseph Costantine from the American University of Beirut headed the project, working with his colleagues and researchers from the Institute of Electronics, Computer, and Telecommunications Engineering in Italy. 

The team thought that drones would be perfect as they can hover just above a sensor. The drones can also be programmed to follow a predetermined route.

During the tests, the drone was able to activate the sensors from 27.5 meters (90 feet) away. For charging, it had to hover within 1.2 meters (4 feet) of each sensor.

The team are now working to improve the charging and control system by optimizing radio frequency harvesting. They also plan on upping the number of sensors that can be controlled at one time, along with ensuring the right sensor is triggered.