ARDi, a micro-UAV, weighs less than 1kg when flying without carrying a payload. With a payload of onboard cameras and sensors the micro-UAV can fly missions of up to 20 minutes. The current applications for ARDi include, Aerial Photography, Aerial Videography, Wildland Fire, Tourism and much much more. WWVi and ARDi are currently engaged in Project FireEye.
Project FireEye is a joint project between Western Willow Ventures Inc. and The Government of the Northwest Territories, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Forest Management Division, Fire Sciences. The project aims to explore the application for micro-UAV to the tasks of detection, observation, mapping and monitoring of wildfire.
WWVi and ARDi joined the scientists at the Canadian Boreal Research Community FireSmart Project in Fort Providence, NT to perform missions in the areas that are high risk to human life, high cost, aircraft availability and fuel costs. All missions flown were successful. ARDi returned home in time to be the “eye in the sky” on Fort Smith’s Canada Day Parade.
