Taiwan showcased the nation’s first ever pollution-monitoring unmanned aerial vehicles in Kaohsiung City.
The UAVs, co-developed by the Joint Technology Center for Atmosphere Monitoring at Fooyin University and the Environmental Pollution Bureau under the Kaohsiung City government, are capable of detecting ozone, nitrogen dioxide and nonmethane hydrocarbons, all of which are harmful pollutants.
Once the vehicles detect any of these three pollutants in the air, they will notify computers on land immediately, said JTCAM Director Char Jir-ming, adding that the UAVs will also collect air sample readings.
Kaohsiung City EPB officials said the UAVs, together with an airship, have been employed to monitor the air quality in the city, especially in industrial areas. The Kaohsiung City government said employing these instruments will help lead to better air quality and improved living standards for its residents.
The UAVs are capable of flying at up to 20,000 feet. Two are in service: one with a 10-kilogram payload can stay in the air for an hour; one with a 40-kg payload can stay up for four hours.
