The Institute of Cetacean Research
- You are here:
- Home>
- English Sitemap>
- RESEARCH>
- Research Activities>
- UAV Development
UAV Development section
This research section is engaged in the technical development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for use in different kinds of cetacean study. One of the objectives is to develop a UAV suitable to assist the sighting surveys, for example for observations in areas difficult to be surveyed by vessels, or for confirming species identity and the number of whales in large schools, etc. This information is relevant for the work of the abundance estimation section. Drones could be used also for photogrammetry and photo-id studies in cetacean species, information relevant for the work of the genetic ecology section. This section has made progress in the development of a UAV called 'Asuka', which is a Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) type with a considerable autonomous flight distance of 51km.