Dubai: A drone that can monitor rainfall and predict any resultant floods has been developed by students of a Saudi Arabian University.
Students of the University of Tabuk have named the drone Saham 2,an Arab News report said.
The aircraft was constructed of high-quality fiber and other materials, said Prof. Salahaddin Hafiz Omar of the supervisor and creativity unit of the varsity. According to him, the drone will also utilize various sensors already present on ground.
The drone can also be used to report the locations of stranded people, whom it can detect through a thermal camera installed in it along with a radar, Omar said.
But, Omar said that the university needs financial support to implement the installation of thermal cameras in the new aircraft, along with other innovations.
Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles, is a controversial subject in the region with its involvement in various anti-terror military strikes. However, Tabuk University officials have said that this drone will only be deployed for civil duties.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, February 07, 2013, 15:08