REMOTELY controlled drones are becoming more common in military and paramilitary operations and now a Perth-based company is ready to tackle the commercial market with its range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s).

Remotely controlled drones could change mining / Image - Courtesy istockphoto

Cyber Technologies sees industries such as mining, petroleum and agriculture as prime targets for its remotely controlled aircraft.

The company, launched four years ago by managing director Chris Mounkley as a research and development vehicle, already claims Australian leadership in sales of UAV’s, providing the technology to military and private sectors in Australia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Cyber Tech's super-compact Cyber Quad vertical take-off and land (VTOL) aircraft demonstrated its capabilities last November following the Montara platform fire in the Timor Sea. In a world-first, the UAV flew over, under and inside the platform and drilling rig to provide close-up vision of damage and potential hazards before the recovery team went on board.

The Cyber Quad carries high-definition still or video cameras and sensors capable of sensing poisonous or toxic gases. It can then transmit the results to an operator up to 5km away.

Importantly for the petroleum industry, the Cyber Quad is built of non-conducting nylon and the brushless electric motor driving its four ducted fans does not produce sparks. Its low noise and manoeuvrability mean it can operate safely inside buildings. Other commercial applications include monitoring pit walls, mineral seams and stockpiles in the mining industry and checking bridges, transmission poles and other infrastructure.

It can also be used to sniff out toxic leakages without endangering workers as well as fire monitoring, search and rescue (for which it can be fitted with a thermal camera) and shark patrols.

Cyber Tech also sees high commercial potential for Cyber-Eye, a propeller-driven aircraft capable of staying aloft for 10 hours and transmitting high definition video and infra-red camera images up to 50km.

Likely roles for Cyber-Eye are monitoring pipelines and power lines, communications towers, bridges, construction sites, mine sites and oilfields and monitoring wide acre crops and flocks. The company also sees potential in news coverage and aerial filming.

After investing $3 million in research and development over the last 18 months, Mr Mounkley says the company is on the verge of profitable commercial operation. He expects to manufacture 20 Cyber Quad aircraft in the coming year, growing quickly to 100 units annually, along with at least 10 Cyber Eye 10 units a year.

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