Net-zero beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BLVOS) drones for oceans

The oceans sector has a wide-ranging need for remote sensing capability. Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV) or drones can provide important monitoring, surveying, and data collection across many of the competition themes; specifically, alternative energy, aquaculture systems, seaweed cultivation and production, carbon capture and storage, and environmental monitoring.

The technical challenges of limited flight time and range of existing net-zero drones, and the size/weight/power of beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) detect/avoid systems are holding back potential market growth. The proposed project is a collaboration of a Canadian industry lead, a Canadian end-user collaborator, and a Canadian post-secondary institute partnering with 1 UK industry lead, and 3 UK academic organisations (linked to end-users) that represent a wide range of the supply chain. The challenge and market opportunity behind the project is to develop and implement long-endurance zero-emissions beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone technology in the Ocean sector using Limosaero's long-endurance solar drone and Canadian UAVs networked BVLOS ground radar system.

The project will also work with the existing (Canada-Inuit Nunangat-United Kingdom Arctic Research Programme) CINUK projects, to further enable their work on climate driven changes in terrestrial, coastal, and near-shore marine environments in Inuit Nunangat, as well as the impacts on Inuit and community health and well-being.