The Advanced Centre for Aerospace Technologies (CATEC) and the Sevillian company Airvant have developed the PrevenZAL project, which consists of the design of a drone to disinfect critical spaces in the logistics sector in a short time and an automated manner. This drone, which will be used by Correos at its logistics centre in Malaga, has represented a technological breakthrough as it is an effective solution for future outbreaks of COVID-19 that may arise.
CATEC is managed by the Andalusian Foundation for Aerospace Development (FADA), on whose board of trustees the Regional Ministry of Economic Transformation, Industry, Knowledge and Universities is represented. It is currently one of the leading centres for drone and unmanned flight research in Europe.
The project has included a series of analyses, tests, and acquisition of equipment related to the flights necessary to carry out the disinfection process, as well as all the studies related to the evaluation of air quality, focusing, above all, on indoor spaces. The assessment of air quality in this type of environment was not initially conceived in the project, but the evolution of the pandemic, as well as the interest shown by end-users who have closely followed the initiative, have allowed the incorporation of this type of task.
Through a protocolised process, the air quality in the facility is measured using sensors onboard the drone, to guarantee controlled air quality and avoid atmospheres that allow the proliferation of contagions.
For its part, Airvant is a technology-based company that, focused on the logistics sector, designs high added value solutions through the use of drones. The company configures strategies for stock management, providing valuable information in very short intervals of time. To do so, it applies different software techniques and onboard sensors on drones.
Its main lines of activity include solutions for warehouse inventory using drones, as well as others focused on the supply chain.
