Sky-high electric charging platforms that can extend the flying range of drones are being tested at the University of the Sunshine Coast’s state-of-the-art campus at Moreton Bay.
If successful, the platforms could cut downtime across a range of drone-based activities – from koala monitoring, communications, electric vehicle charging to disaster management.
Digital infrastructure provider ENE.HUB partnered with UniSC Mechatronics Engineering student Brett Devcich to test the eight-metre high charging platforms which will be installed at strategic locations across Moreton Bay.
Brett has been investigating how to best charge drones directly through their landing legs as part of his thesis, and then testing that design on the platforms both in the lab and in the field.
ENE.HUB General Manager Product Development Australia James Peet said the poles could cut an hour of commuting time on regular, long-range drone flights that require recharging.
