Canopy Drones add flood risk management to their survey services
Led by:
Based in East Yorkshire, Canopy Drones uses the latest drone technology to conduct aerial surveys, monitoring and environmental work. The technology available is advancing at unprecedented speed and the company’s aim is to use this to change the way businesses and the public sector operate.
The challenge
PROJECT PARTNERS
TAKING DRONES IN A NEW DIRECTION
Canopy Drones is developing a portfolio of services that goes far beyond the typical photography and videography services that most drone companies within the region offer. They were keen to invest in developing flood identification and flood prevention techniques, focusing primarily on Natural Flood Management (NFM) and using drones to carry out survey work, the results of which will inform flood risk management assessments carried out downstream.
The solution
PROJECT LEAD
Chun Keat Yew,
Technology Research Manager
PROJECT TEAM
Lead Researcher: Stuart McLelland, Deputy Director, Energy & Environment Institute
Josh Wolstenholme, Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull
Dr Josh Ahmed, Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull.
DEVELOPING A ‘NEW TO MARKET’ SERVICE
Canopy Drones’ objective was to understand Natural Flood Management techniques, how to implement them and the benefits. As there were no Natural Flood Management audits available for customers to buy, working with the Flood Innovation Centre and University of Hull’s experts enabled Canopy Drones to develop an innovative Natural Flood Management auditing service that’s not only new to the company but also new to the wider market.
The package of support provided by the Flood Innovation Centre equipped Canopy Drones with the knowledge and skills they needed to be able to offer this groundbreaking service, as well as defining the qualifying parameters of a Natural Flood Management audit report by conducting a series of trials using the University of Hull’s drone equipment. The Flood Innovation Centre also signposted Canopy Drones to a source of funding that enabled them to invest in the drone technology needed to be able to offer this new service.
“The climate crisis is changing the shape of the world and we believe that drones are ideally placed to enhance the world’s protection and response plan to climate change, in everything from mapping to deploying seed pods along coastal areas.
“Canopy Drones has been really privileged to work with the Flood Innovation Centre. The support we’ve had from Chun and the team has made it possible to take our business to the next level and invest in cutting-edge technology.”
Mayo Binnie, Director
Canopy Drones
The RESULT
NEW DRONE FLOOD SURVEY SERVICE FLYING OUT THE DOOR
After receiving support from the Flood Innovation Centre, Canopy Drones gained knowledge and experience of conducting Natural Flood Management Surveys at multiple sites using drones and is now able to offer a bespoke service to its customers. The company recently won a contract to carry out a Natural Flood Management survey for the Tees Val-ley Wildlife Trust near Middlesborough.
