Thermal drones have many advantages compared to handheld thermal cameras and are quickly becoming a popular tool in search and rescue, agriculture, hunting, security and surveillance.
Thermal drone cameras have an infrared (IR) sensor that picks up heat in objects such as people, animals or buildings (more on that in Drone Imaging). This is beneficial because normal drone photography or video footage can be masked by smoke, trees or lack of light.
If you’re all across what thermal drones are and what they offer, you may want to jump to the review article on the best Drones with Thermal Cameras.
What is a thermal drone?
Thermal drones are fitted with an infrared camera for thermal photography and videography (also known as thermal imaging).
The lens used for thermal photography captures infrared radiation emitted by objects and converts it into a visible image. The photo or video shows variations in temperature, which identifies areas of heat loss, detects defects in building materials, and locates people or animals in low-visibility conditions.
Unlike visible light, which is reflected by objects, infrared radiation is emitted by objects based on their temperature. Warmer objects emit more radiation, while cooler objects emit less radiation.
The resulting thermal image shows a range of colors, with warmer objects appearing as red or orange, and cooler objects appearing as blue or green. By analyzing the patterns of temperature variation in the image, we can identify objects or areas of interest, such as heat leaks in a building or hotspots in electrical equipment like solar panels.
Thermal photography has many applications in fields such as building inspection, energy auditing, and search and rescue. It’s particularly useful in situations where traditional visual inspection methods become difficult, such as in low-visibility conditions or when the object of interest is hidden behind a dense tree canopy or at night.
How much does a thermal drone cost?
Drones with thermal cameras start at about $3,000 USD such as the Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual and Advanced. This model has a 160×120 resolution thermal camera which is lower quality compared to other drones with thermal cameras (link). Higher quality drones with thermal cameras cost between $9,000 to $15,000 USD.
What are thermal drones used for?
Thermal drones are used to detect anything that gives off a temperature difference distinguishable from its surrounding environment. This can be electrical and building inspections, people, animals, vehicles and any object that can absorb or generate heat.
Here are some of the uses for thermal drones :
Thermal Drones for Hunting
Thermal drones are used in hunting to track and locate animals more effectively than traditional hunting methods. It’s important to note that the use of drones in hunting is regulated by laws and regulations in different jurisdictions, and hunters should always follow these regulations to avoid fines.
Here are some ways that thermal drones are used in hunting:
- Locating animals: Thermal drones locate animals that are hiding in dense foliage or in low-light conditions. The thermal camera on the drone can detect the heat signature of the animal and display it on a monitor, allowing the hunter to pinpoint its location.
- Tracking wounded game: If a hunter has injured an animal, the thermal drone is able to detect the animal’s heat signature, this is particularly useful in dense forests where tracking can be difficult.
- Scouting: Scouting from the air with thermal drones provides information on the animal’s location, movement patterns, and behaviour.
- Surveillance: Hunters can use thermal drones to monitor an area for poachers or other illegal activity.
- Safety: Thermal drones can also be used to check for the presence of predator animals and other potential dangers in the area.
Drones with thermal cameras are increasingly being used for surveillance purposes in a variety of settings where laws permit their use. The thermal camera on the drone can detect heat signatures from a distance to identify people or animals in low-light conditions or behind obstacles such as walls or trees. This makes thermal drones a valuable tool for law enforcement and security agencies, as they can monitor large areas or track suspects in real time.
Thermal drones are also useful for border surveillance, where they detect and track individuals crossing the border illegally. In addition, thermal drones are used for industrial surveillance, where they can detect leaks, hotspots, and other abnormalities in industrial equipment, reducing the risk of accidents or equipment failure. However, the use of drones for surveillance purposes is regulated by laws and regulations in different jurisdictions, and it is important to ensure that their use complies with these regulations and respects individual privacy rights.
Thermal drones for agriculture offer a range of benefits for farmers and landowners such as:
- Crop health monitoring: Thermal drones image the health of crops by detecting temperature variations in the plants. Farmers use these thermal images to treat areas of stress, disease, or insect infestation and take action to address the issue before it spreads.
- Irrigation management: Monitoring soil moisture levels by thermal drone footage helps farmers to optimize irrigation schedules and reduce water waste.
- Livestock management: Heat signatures from animals are picked up by thermal drones to easily map their distribution, allowing farmers to track their movements and detect any potential health issues.
- Precision agriculture: Thermal data on soil and crop health, moisture levels, and other environmental factors has led to the evolution of precision agriculture. This optimizes farming practices, reduce waste, and increases yields.
- Plant counting: The footage from thermal drones is also used for plant counting This can help farmers to estimate crop yield, plan harvesting schedules, and optimize fertilizer and pesticide application.
Drones with thermal cameras offer a range of benefits for agriculture, including increased efficiency, improved crop health, and reduced waste.
Thermal drones are being used in the construction industry for a variety of purposes. The thermal imaging cameras that detect and measure temperature differences on building surfaces, allowing construction professionals to identify potential issues before they become major problems.
Thermal drones are commonly used to monitor building heat loss, identify energy leaks, and detect moisture in building materials. They can also be used to assess the condition of roofs, detect electrical faults, and locate areas where insulation may be inadequate. By using thermal drones in construction, professionals can save time and money while also ensuring that buildings are constructed to the highest standards of safety and efficiency.
Thermal drones have revolutionized inspection processes in many industries due to their ability to capture data from inaccessible or hazardous locations. Drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras can quickly and accurately detect temperature variations, which can indicate potential issues with machinery, electrical systems, pipelines, and other infrastructure.
This information is invaluable for predictive maintenance, as it can alert inspectors to potential problems before they occur, leading to cost savings and increased safety. Thermal drones can also be used to inspect buildings, bridges, and other structures for defects, such as cracks, leaks, or areas with inadequate insulation.
Thermal drones have become an essential tool for inspection professionals, providing a safe and efficient way to gather valuable data.
Thermal drones have proved to be invaluable in search and rescue operations such as post Hurricane Katrina. Thermal imaging cameras detect heat signatures of people, animals, or objects even in low-light conditions or through foliage, snow, or other obstacles. This makes them an essential tool for search and rescue teams, as they can quickly locate people in need of help and reduce response times.
Thermal drones can also help rescuers assess the extent of damage to a building or disaster site, identify hazardous areas, and plan the safest and most efficient routes for rescue operations.
In addition, thermal drones detect heat signatures of pets, livestock, or wildlife that may be lost or injured. Thermal drones have significantly improved the effectiveness and efficiency of search and rescue operations, helping to save lives and reduce the risks to rescue teams.
Drone footage from Hurricane Katrina shows the difficulty of observing people and animals from debris without thermal imaging. Image Credit: HuffPost.com
What to Look for When Buying a Thermal Drone:
When choosing a drone with a thermal camera, there are several important factors to consider. Here are some key features you should look for:
- Thermal Sensor: The thermal sensor is the most important part of a thermal camera drone. The resolution of the sensor determines the level of detail that you can see in the thermal imagery. Higher resolution sensors will provide more accurate and detailed thermal images, which is important for applications such as search and rescue, building inspections, and precision agriculture. Currently, the resolution of thermal drone cameras ranges from 160×120 to 1280×1024.
- Camera Quality: The quality of the camera itself is also an important consideration. Look for cameras that offer high-resolution video and image capture capabilities, as well as features such as image stabilization and zoom. A handy feature to look for is the ability to display the thermal footage side by side on the controller display with the normal video footage.
- Drone Flight Time: The flight time of the drone is another important factor to consider in some applications such as search and rescue. Look for a drone that offers a long battery life or consider choosing a fixed wing drone (LINK) so that you can cover more ground in a single flight.
- Range: The range of the drone is also an important consideration. Look for drones that can operate at a sufficient distance from the operator to capture the thermal images you need. The longest FPV range I’ve come across for drones with thermal cameras is 50km the DeltaQuad Pro.
- Durability: Finally, consider the durability of the drone. Look for a drone that is built to withstand the elements and can handle the demands of your specific application. The Delta Quad Pro #View is a good example (…again) of a durable thermal drone, its capable of flying in rain and snow and can stay in the air for over 2 hours thanks to its fixed wing drone design.
