SPH Engineering Introduces UAV-based Remote Water Sampling System

SPH Engineering introduces the Remote Water Sampling System, a new UAV-based solution within UgCS Integrated Systems product line. The trial flight was conducted at a Latvian lake to proceed with water sampling for subsequent analysis in a laboratory.

The main benefit of this brand new system is the possibility to take up to 1L water samples at considerable distance from the bank or water access points (piers, bridges, etc.) or in hazardous test locations impossible for a boat or ship to navigate.

The system combines the following components: a drone (either DJI M300 RTK or DJI M600 Pro drone), Ruttner water sampler and SPH Engineering’s UgCS SkyHub onboard computer, a radar altimeter and UgCS ground control software. Additionally, SPH Engineering has developed the messenger release device.

‘Traditional water sampling methods require direct access to the water body and samples are gathered from the shore, pier, bridge, or boat. Sampling at some distance from the solid ground in absence of a boat or ship is impossible. A remote sampling system based on UAV solves that problem, allowing water sampling far from shore’, Alexey Dobrovolskiy, CTO at SPH Engineering, comments.

The system has been developed upon the request of the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Сenter. According to the Сenter representative, ‘it is a great tool for improving safety in the water sampling process and ensuring efficiency. Such a system would be useful for institutions like the State Environmental Service to obtain a water sample from polluted waters quickly and safely. The system allows water to be taken repeatedly from the same location at a constant depth. The limitation to our workflow has been the volume that could have been larger to maintain even more practical work. A big advantage is optional equipment (an altimeter and UgCS software) for both safety of the drone during the flight and
the improved altitude accuracy above the water’.

To learn more about the system, visit https://integrated.ugcs.com/drone-based-remote-water-sampling

about SPH Engineering

SPH Engineering (sph-engineering.com) is a multiproduct drone software company and UAV integration services provider. Founded in 2013 in Latvia (EU) as a UAV mission planning and flight control start-up, the company has evolved from a developer of a single flagship product (UgCS) to a market leader in multiple drone solutions. Today, the company boasts a rich global customer and reseller network in 150+ countries, while over 45% of partners are located in North America. To provide high-quality solutions for UAV professionals, SPH Engineering’s
team advances four key product lines: UgCS (mission planning and flight control software), UgCS Integrated Systems (airborne integrated systems with sensors from diverse manufacturers), Drone Show Software (the only commercially available software to manage drone swarm flights) and ATLAS (AI platform to process and analyze geospatial data).