Drones have revolutionized many industries, offering unique solutions for tasks ranging from aerial photography to agricultural monitoring.
However, one significant challenge remains : drones struggle to fly over fires.
But why is this the case ?
When a drone flies over a fire, the intense heat generated by the flames causes the air above to heat up significantly.
This heated air leads to a decrease in air density. For drones, which rely on the density of the air to generate lift and maintain thrust, this reduction in air density is problematic.
The drone's propellers lose their effectiveness in this thinner, less dense air, resulting in a loss of thrust and control. Consequently, the drone may start to descend uncontrollably.
A recent incident highlighted this issue starkly, During a firefighting operation, a drone lost control and landed squarely in the fire.
It wasn't a mechanical failure or pilot error that caused this, it was the simple physics of heated air reducing the drone's ability to stay aloft.
This presents a significant challenge for using drones in firefighting and other applications where they need to operate in high-temperature environments.
Understanding this phenomenon is crucial for developing better, more resilient drone technology that can withstand these conditions.
What do you think about this issue ? How can we innovate to overcome this challenge and enhance the safety and functionality of drones in fire-prone areas?
Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas on how we can address this critical challenge in drone technology.