IoT meets innovative spirit: sample transport by drone

Ursa-Chemie, a contract manufacturer for chemical products, relies on networked drones to transport samples between production and the laboratory. Deutsche Telekom and its joint venture Droniq provide support with IoT and drone technology.

"Our goal is to use technology where it makes people's lives easier. This drone case fits in with our pioneering spirit at Ursa-Chemie."

Andreas Möller, Geschäftsführer Ursa-Chemie

3 steps to the IoT use case

The challenge

Ursa-Chemie operates two production sites in Montabaur. Samples have to be regularly transported between the sites for quality checks. Previously, a laboratory technician travelled by car to the second production site several times a day, collected the samples there and took them to the laboratory for analysis. Ursa-Chemie was looking for an innovative solution to optimise the transport of samples - and at the same time demonstrate the company's pioneering spirit.

Solution

In collaboration with Deutsche Telekom and its joint venture Droniq, Ursa-Chemie implemented a drone system for transporting samples. The drone flies between the two factory sites on a pre-programmed route. As visual contact is lost on the way over a hill, two employees monitor the flight by remote control at the start and finish. In the future, the drone will fly autonomously: A built-in 5G mobile radio module from Deutsche Telekom will then make the drone visible in air traffic control's aerial image - a prerequisite for safe drone flights without visual contact. Ursa-Chemie is also considering using the drone for company premises surveillance.

Customer benefits

The drone technology saves Ursa-Chemie around one hour per day compared to transport by car. Automation thus relieves the burden on employees. The system also forms the basis for further innovations and possible applications of drone technology. Above all, however, the project emphasises Ursa-Chemie's pioneering spirit and attracts attention - both in the industry and among potential applicants.

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