Drone technologies in Central Asia: examples from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan
In recent years, Central Asia has witnessed rapid growth in the use of drones in areas ranging from agriculture to urban infrastructure. Experts from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan shared experiences of using drones to solve various problems and stimulate innovation in the regions during the opening of Drone Tech center in Astana Hub on March 27.
Abzal Yesenbaev, a representative of the Qazaq Geophysics, spoke about innovative approaches to monitoring and studying underground mines using autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles.
Among the methods listed are the digitization of plans and diagrams of underground space, as well as the use of 3D laser scanning.
“After the drone returns, we export a cloud of points, which gives us a picture of difficult passages and places. Next, based on the data received, a frame 3D model is built, which we need for further geo-mechanical research,” he said. This methodology not only allows for a safe scanning of an area without hazardous involvement, but also provides an in-depth analysis and more opportunities for further investigations.
Sahob Mamasadikov, director of Drone Technology, talked about usage of drones in Uzbekistan.
“Our organization, together with government agencies, has been carrying out various activities since the beginning of 2018. In Uzbekistan, we use drones in the oil and gas industry, in tunnels and mines. We carry out inspections of exhaust pipes of various industrial enterprises with a height of 150 meters, to which it is prohibited to approach closer than 50 meters due to the risk of explosion. Fire-fighting drones that extinguish fires on tall buildings, the inspection and monitoring of solar panels and heating mains in cities are relevant today,” he explained.
He also highlighted several companies that deal with production of drones, including an aviation center. Production of drones is based on technical specifications and the types of drones that needed for a particular industry.
Yakub Kurbanov, head of the Center for Scientific Research at the Academy of Civil Aviation of Kazakhstan, observes that drone technology field is growing.
“For me, the most important thing is that in Kazakhstan there are many companies that are developing the use of drones in all areas - from commercial to industrial,” he said.
Kurbanov addressed his experiences related to the use of unmanned aerial vehicles - cyber security to avoid hacking the control of unmanned aerial vehicles, the need to develop a commercial market for drones in Kazakhstan for the development of exports and the development of human capital. He emphasized that the aviation administration has worked out the rules for operating drones in the airspace efficiently and correctly.
“There are still gaps that we will try fill in the near future and then operators will not experience any shortcomings in procedural support and legal provision, which are directly the events that matter in development unmanned aircraft in Kazakhstan,” he said.
