A new technology using drones, developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency for use by authorities in Fukushima Prefecture in Japan, has been tested and validated under real conditions in Fukushima and is available for practical use in routine or emergency situations.
The IAEA said the drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are equipped with radiation detectors, cameras and GPS devices. After the drone takes off, radiation readings and other relevant information are synchronised with exact GPS position and sent in real time to the pilot at the ground station and stored onboard.
The data collected using the drone systems can be used to assess potential radiation risks and help establish appropriate remediation, decontamination and nuclear waste management plans and strategies in Japan.
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