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Drone Habitat Restoration
Although our drones can drop for instance 2000 mangrove germinated seeds in 10 minutes and about 500 seedballs in the same time (more if flown in drone swarms), what is most important to us and leads to our success is that we take an ecologically led approach throughout each of the project phases rather than focusing on the drone and drop numbers.
We are enabling nature to take course by dropping the seeds at the right time, tide levels, location, soil depths etc but what makes it all happen is nature itself.
Terrestrial and Coastal Planting Swappable Planting Modules
Our new rigging is modular so as to be easily swapped depending on mission requirements. The core module attaches to the seed tank and feeds the 3 different drop modules and has an internal agitator to ensure smooth feeding to the swappable modules.
The swappable modules consist of a single drop linear actuator module, a triple drop trap door module, and a motorized launcher module.All modules connect to the autopilot to integrate into autonomous flight capabilities.
The motorized launcher can be used to lodge seed balls into semi soft ground at very precise locations and spacing.
The seed tank mounts can be rapidly modified and reprinted to fit on virtually any type of multicopter with a minimum payload capability of 6 kg. The core module will fit any seed tank with a 115 mm opening. We currently are using a 10 liter and 20 liter tank
Top Innovator: World Economic Forum Uplink Blue Carbon Innovation Challenge
Community Led Drone Ecological Mangrove Restoration
The whole premise of creating our self engineered and customized solutions and test piloting of our drones and rigging was that our solutions can be upscaled and replicated in other developing communities. Now that the methodology and rigging have proven to be effective through a phased testing approach carried out in the UAE, we are now ready to work with communities to build and become self sufficient using our rigging and methodology.
By having communities build their own drones out of accessible materials and utilize our engineered rigging they can become self sufficient and ensure the use of drones as part of their long term actions. Communities will become nimble in assessing impact or risk to their growth areas and be able to in-fill in the correct season as needed through drone planting.
The self built drones can be utilized for secondary site analysis through out the year. We built our mechanical rigging utilizing 3D printing so that we ourselves can be nimble in design changes needed if different conditions/seed sizes occur in different regions.
Our aim is to have, in the truest sense of the word, empowered communities which are self sufficient in utilizing drones through aerial planting methodology as well as ancillary analysis as needed. This also will support their livelihoods and support their mobilization in the restoration of their critical areas.
A typical planting project would incorporate the following steps
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Site mapping and environmental characteristics analyzed and site selection through local expert engagement
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Collection of mangrove seeds and other species as per the planting plan from established trees/plants around the areas of planting
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Fresh/brackish water/nutrients germination period followed by seed ball preparation, using 3D printed hand presses, for selected amount of germinated seeds
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Drone swarm planting through mechanical drop mechanism of germinated seeds and seed balls by expert guidance on their choice array planting pattern.
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Drone monitoring over the year of the seedling growth, creation of change analysis through orthomosaic biomass change and health index analysis.