Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's Natural Resource Technology Program is a leader in the development ofx000D
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology for resource management applications. Saskatchewanx000D
Polytechnic acquired a mobile UAV-mounted LiDAR system in 2015. A manually piloted UAV wasx000D
purchased, but it requires advanced training to operate and its use is compromised by flight-time restrictionsx000D
owing to battery capacity and payload. Saskatchewan Polytechnic is working toward obtaining the DJI Matricex000D
600 Pro, a semi-autonomous UAV. The DJI Matrice 600 Pro will make LiDAR more accessible tox000D
Saskatchewan Polytechnic researchers and has the ability to conduct systematic and repeatable ground surveys;x000D
a key component of scientifically defensible research. It will also be an upgrade in terms of safety andx000D
reliability since it is equipped with a triple redundancy flight controller and three separate global navigationx000D
satellite antennae for geo-positioning. The DJI Matrice batteries also comply with airline dangerous goodsx000D
restrictions, thus allowing research opportunities in distant locations, and the battery management systemx000D
ensures a safe landing if one element of the battery array should fail. An upgraded LiDAR platform wouldx000D
contribute to future industry-driven research and the applied learning of our students. New opportunities forx000D
mobile LiDAR surveys are emerging in crime scene investigations, agriculture, engineering, and transportationx000D
and Saskatchewan Polytechnic is committed to maintaining its ability to support that expansion.