Researchers have developed drones equipped with advanced sensors to see through snow and soil. The project aims to assess risks to society and the environment from hidden factors. The drones use lidar and ground-penetrating radar to map what lies below the surface. These tools help identify unstable ground, buried infrastructure risks, or environmental threats like soil erosion or hidden water flows. The technology was tested in Norway’s varied terrain this winter. Results show the drones can detect changes in soil density and detect objects up to one meter underground. This capability could improve planning for construction, agriculture, and disaster prevention. The team includes geologists, drone engineers, and environmental scientists from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Funding comes from the Research Council of Norway and the European Union’s Horizon program. The project began in 2023 and runs through 2026. Field tests in Tromsø revealed a buried pipeline that had shifted due to frost heave, a risk not visible from the surface. The discovery allowed authorities to schedule repairs before a potential failure. Another test in Hardanger detected a hidden sinkhole forming beneath farmland, preventing damage to crops and machinery. The drones operate in temperatures down to minus 20 degrees Celsius and can cover up to 10 hectares per hour. Their sensors collect data at a resolution of five centimeters per pixel. The team plans to expand testing to Sweden and Finland next year. Officials from the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate have expressed interest in using the drones to monitor dam stability. The project’s lead researcher said the technology provides critical data that ground surveys alone cannot.
Source: norwegianscitechnews.com