Quantum Spatial scientists have created a drone-mounted, custom sensor package that has the ability to detect underground leaks as well as other safety concerns such as rust/corrosion detection and infrastructure integrity.
The sensor package combines conventional video/photography with hyperspecral (non-visible light) imaging and thermal sensing, which allows us to see analyze certain terrain characteristics that reveal where underground water leaks and rusting metal is located.
We worked with a municipal water district to do a full facility inspection by mounting our sensor package to a drone, which performed an aerial survey. The inspection was a success in multiple ways. For one, it revealed a water leak that would be otherwise imperceptible without our sensor technology, but it was also safer and more efficient to conduct the inspection via drone, rather than have a person risking injury while climbing atop tall facility structures.
This particular package is designed for water facility management, but we also have the capability to apply the same methods for other inspections including gas pipeline management, hazardous chemical remediation, and vegetation health.