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What is BVLOS and why it is important for the Drone Industry?

Dec 22, 2024

4 min read

Dileep Kumar

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BVLOS stands for Beyond Visual Line of Sight. In BVLOS operations, the drone is flown outside the pilot's direct visual range, typically relying on technology such as cameras, GPS, or sensors to navigate and observe the environment.

 

In the BVLOS world, you would be able to fly UAVs without having to maintain sight of it at all times. You can achieve this by either using a visual observer, having an appropriate technology, or following certain actions or procedures that minimize the risk of a mid-air collision. 


The Drone Rule 2021 and subsequent Drone (Amendment) Rules, 2022, have revolutionized the drone ecosystem in India, making it easier for industries to adopt drone technology. Among these advancements, Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations represent a game-changing capability. BVLOS enables drones to operate beyond the direct line of sight of the pilot, unlocking a wide range of applications across industries. Let’s explore how the latest regulations in India are fostering BVLOS operations and their diverse use cases.


Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations unlock a plethora of opportunities for drone applications that are not possible under standard Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) constraints.


Real-world use cases and case studies showcasing the practical applications of BVLOS Operations:

 

1. Infrastructure Inspection

Use Case: Inspecting power lines, pipelines, bridges, and railways spread across vast or remote areas.

Example:

  • A utility company deploys BVLOS drones to inspect miles of high-voltage power lines, reducing costs and improving worker safety.

  • Case Study: Xcel Energy in the U.S. became one of the first energy companies to receive FAA approval for BVLOS inspections of power infrastructure.



2. Agricultural Monitoring

Use Case: Precision agriculture applications like crop health analysis, irrigation monitoring, and livestock tracking.

Example:

  • BVLOS drones provide farmers with actionable insights by capturing multispectral imagery over large farms.

  • Case Study: Drone Deploy demonstrated BVLOS capabilities by monitoring crop growth on extensive farmland, leading to optimized resource use and increased yields.



3. Search and Rescue (SAR)

Use Case: Finding lost persons or surveying disaster-hit areas in remote or inaccessible regions.

Example:

  • BVLOS drones equipped with thermal cameras locate individuals in dense forests or flood zones.

  • Case Study: In Canada, BVLOS drones were used to locate a missing hiker in a remote mountain area, saving hours compared to ground-based searches.


4. Delivery and Logistics

Use Case: Transporting medical supplies, parcels, or goods to remote or urban areas.

Example:

  • BVLOS drones deliver critical medications to rural clinics in Africa.

  • Case Study: Zipline operates BVLOS drones in Rwanda and Ghana to deliver blood and medical supplies, dramatically cutting delivery times.


5. Environmental Monitoring

Use Case: Monitoring wildlife, tracking deforestation, or surveying marine ecosystems.

Example:

  • BVLOS drones are used to track endangered species in hard-to-reach areas without disturbing wildlife.

  • Case Study: Conservation organizations in South America use BVLOS drones to monitor illegal deforestation in the Amazon rainforest.




6. Public Safety and Law Enforcement

Use Case: Enhancing situational awareness during emergencies or large public events.

Example:

  • BVLOS drones provide real-time imagery of wildfires, enabling better resource allocation.

  • Case Study: California Fire Department utilized BVLOS operations to map wildfire perimeters, improving response strategies.


7. Surveying and Mapping

Use Case: Conducting large-scale geospatial surveys for construction, mining, and urban planning.

Example:

  • BVLOS drones create high-resolution 3D maps of mining sites, enhancing operational efficiency.

  • Case Study: A mining company in Australia used BVLOS drones for topographic surveys, reducing survey time by 75%.


8. Oil and Gas Industry

Use Case: Monitoring offshore rigs, detecting pipeline leaks, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Example:

  • BVLOS drones detect methane leaks over vast pipeline networks.

  • Case Study: Shell deployed BVLOS drones for pipeline inspections, improving safety and operational continuity.


9. Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and Smart Cities

Use Case: Integrating drones for public services like surveillance, traffic monitoring, and parcel delivery.

Example:

  • BVLOS drones help manage urban traffic by monitoring congestion patterns in real-time.

  • Case Study: Dubai Smart City initiative tested BVLOS drones for integrating air taxis and delivery services into urban ecosystems.


10. Regulatory Progress Post-2021

Drone PLI Scheme (2022):

  • Production-linked incentives boosted indigenous drone manufacturing, including BVLOS-capable drones.

Drone Airspace Map:

  • Launched in 2022, the map provides real-time guidance on approved zones for operations.

BVLOS Pilot Programs:

  • DGCA approved pilot projects with companies like Swiggy, SpiceXpress, and others to explore BVLOS applications.


11. Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges:

  • Airspace integration and collision avoidance in BVLOS operations.

  • Need for robust UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) systems.

Opportunities:

  • Scaling logistics and healthcare delivery in underserved regions.

  • Developing India as a global hub for drone innovation.


Benefits of BVLOS Drones

BVLOS drones offer numerous advantages, making them a vital tool across industries:

1.      Increased Efficiency:

  • They cover larger areas faster than manual methods, reducing operational time and costs.

2.      Enhanced Safety:

  • BVLOS drones eliminate the need for human presence in hazardous areas, ensuring worker safety.

3.      Cost-Effectiveness:

  • Reduced manpower and operational costs make BVLOS operations highly economical over time.

4.      Accessibility:

  • They can reach remote or inaccessible locations that are otherwise challenging to survey or service.

5.      Real-Time Data Collection:

  • Advanced sensors and cameras provide accurate and actionable insights for decision-making.

6.      Environmental Benefits:

  • Lower carbon footprint compared to traditional methods like manned vehicles or aircraft.

Dec 22, 2024

4 min read

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Comments (1)

Yogesh Pahari
Dec 24, 2024

Informative, BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line Of Sight)...a future of UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System).


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