Indian Institute of Science helps BBMP to disinfect congested areas using drones

It has been almost a month since the lockdown was announced. However, central/state governments and various civic bodies are undertaking various measures to disinfect outdoor spaces and public infrastructure, which is a massive resource-intensive task. General Aeronautics (GA), a startup incubated by the Society for Innovation and Development, IISc (Indian Institute of Science), is helping the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in accelerating the process by using drones to disinfect hard-to-reach areas since March 24.

“BBMP approached us to disinfect the areas which are not possible to disinfect manually since there are hazards associated with it as the threat of getting infected continuously looms over the head. Since last week we have started the initiative in Bhubaneeswar as well and later take it to the North East,” said Abhishek Barman, CEO, General Aeronautics, Startup incubated at IISc.

More than 100 takeoffs have been made across more than 20 congested sites in the city. GA Hexacopter drones in frontline combat against Covid-19 have been used to spray over more than 12,500 sq m of area including residential area, markets, roads, hospital and other key locations. In Phase 1 of the disinfection process 2 drones were used in the city.

The major areas in Bengaluru East covered by the drones were- KR Marker, Yeshwantpur market, Bowring hospital and Whitefield.

15 litres of disinfectant is filled into the tank of the drone and the UAV is flown in a way that the spraying covers a good proximity.

In the post lockdown period there are plans to do surveillance and make real announcements through drones.