Terra Drone Indonesia is testing a drone equipped with Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), with PT Airborne Geophysics Indonesia and the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) Geophysics Lab. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is one of the tools needed to model soil structure.
In this trial, the drone carrying the GPR sensor was flown over tunnels and underground utilities in the Bandung Institute of Technology, at different heights and speeds. The data obtained is then processed and interpreted by geophysicists, and then compared with actual field conditions.
One of the other uses is for post blasting areas in open mines, where GPR is used to map areas that have potential hazards. This application is then used to map the condition of underground pipes, detect leaks in pipes, and map underground utilities that can be used for several sectors such as mining exploration and construction.
The conventional GPR method requires field personnel to go directly to the field by carrying GPR tools and conducting surveys, but this is often dangerous due to severe field and weather conditions, as well as areas that are not safe and difficult to reach. With the drone technology that carries GPR, personnel in the field do not need to go directly to the survey area.
Previously, Terra Drone together with ITB had several times tested new technological innovations such as testing the ability of Terra Lidar in conducting topographic mapping at ITB’s Jatinangor Campus. Going forward, Terra Drone is open to collaborating with parties interested in this new application.
