In Latvia, measurements with water with a new drone will take place with unprecedented accuracy

Today, 20:43

Authors:
David Freidenfeld (Journalist)

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The floating drone “Otter” does not need to fly or sink to successfully announce every stone in the bottom of the body of water. It is the first in Latvia not only because of the fine sensors, but also because of the total price. It costs over 200 thousand euros, but it is worth it.

“We no longer have to drive large ships, which are extremely fuel efficient and still put a significant strain on human resources.

Then we put this drone in the trailer, we leave, we measure it, we leave, “said Kaspars Ozoliņš, a member of the board of the Freeport of Riga Fleet.

So far, the hydrographic works have been performed with two specially equipped vessels, which require a team of several people. The floating drone does not deprive them of their work, but helps them to get to places like never before.

“We’re sailing on a big ship, there’s this drone on the ship. “We take measurements, add data, drive back. It ‘s all about efficiency,” said Ozolins.

Until recently, the main tool of the hydrographer was a hand lotion with depth marks. Now you can see the whole environment on your computer – both underwater and above water.

“We measured the same city canal when it was reconstructed, because there was no such technology,”

said hydrographer, IT systems engineer Gatis Ceruss.

The water drone is not a charity project to support science, it is a real tool that has already proven its capabilities.

“You can’t see a box of matches, but a hand-sized stone very well. And the accuracy of the measurements is very high. The instrumental one is within 3 centimeters. One has been a real task. “There was an order, everything went well, the data was handed over to the customer. The second was to check the depth in Lake Dridge,” said Ceruss.

The drone has successfully clarified the depth of the deepest lake in Latvia and the Baltics. Lake Dridge is now known to be exactly 66 meters and 17 centimeters deep.

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