Due to the influence of COVID-19, many major and minor sporting events have been canceled, postponed, and it may take some time for the official return. One of the main concerns in this crisis is the need to disinfect the stands at the stadiums after each event.
A New York-based company, EagleHawk, wants to make this task easy by using drones. It’s a remote-controlled octocopter (drone), acting like a helicopter that shoots mist-spraying chemicals – via two integrated nozzles on the body – toward the target surfaces.
The company has removed thermal cameras from its drones and replaced them with a device that sprays disinfectant. The disinfectant is stored in a tank on the ground and is pumped to the drone by a hose. A second aircraft flies near the one that sprays the liquid to hold the hose up and prevent the drone from getting caught under seats or hitting other objects in its path.
It uses the safest and most effective disinfectant chemicals available for each use case and is approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The New York State Department of Environment thanks to their anti-COVID-19 effectiveness (derived from SARS-CoV-2 virus), as well as safety with people.
According to the developers, the disinfectant drones would save money since disinfecting each seat manually before and after each match would be expensive in terms of manpower and would be riskier for the employees. In addition, the operation would be done much faster. As such, it is gaining interest, and EagleHawk plans to provide service to all stadiums in the New York area and the surrounding area.
The company has already tested the device at the KeyBank Center, the home of the Sabers, and in other sports facilities in Buffalo. The disinfectant drones can be used to spray outdoor and indoor large-scale facilities, including stadiums, arenas, campuses, buildings, and other common areas.
