INDIAN DRONE STARTUPS TURN THEMSELVES INTO FORCE MULTIPLIERS DURING LOCKDOWN

Indian drone startups are now acting as force multipliers for the municipal bodies and the police forces. During the lockdown, we have seen them exploring new and innovative ways drone tech can be used in battling the ongoing crisis—by doing surveillance, detecting infections, disinfecting areas, delivering medical supplies and so on.

- Soma Tah

The conversations about the promises of drone technologies have never been more relevant, especially at a time when governments and local authorities around the world are scrambling for ways to combat and contain the spread of the Coronavirus and that too with minimum human interactions possible. Because the frontline workers who are working tirelessly to safeguard people are at greatest risk of exposure to the infection and if not protected, they can become the vectors of further infection as well.

Drones have proved to be particularly useful in aiding government efforts to curb the spread of the disease, because they can reach areas that are difficult to cover either by foot or by vehicles and can do it much faster. A drone can cover a distance of 10km in just 8 mins. Another advantage is that it keeps frontline workers away from close contact with potentially infected people.

There are few basic ways in which drones can and are being used right now:

Surveillance and enforce lockdown measures

Drones are now being used for real-time surveillance of public places in major cities and to help local authorities enforce lockdown measures effectively, without deploying any on-ground personnel.

Regular surveillance using drones also acts as a strong deterrent against lockdown violations. A drone carrying an HD camera and a megaphone can be used to disperse gatherings and canvass precautionary messages, such as to put on your mask or maintain social distancing, etc.

Spraying disinfectants to sanitise places