In an unprecedented move reflecting progress for safer and eco-friendly mobility, Serveo and Telefónica Tech have successfully executed an avant-garde pilot scheme in the Community of Madrid. This pioneering initiative deploys drone technology for inspecting traffic mishaps and assessing pavement conditions.
Collaborating with Navalair, a drone operator, both firms orchestrated a 4.6 kilometres flight, devoid of visual range. The starting point was North Zone Road Maintenance Centre in La Cabrera (Madrid), concluding at a simulated road accident, 1+300 kilometre away on the M-631 road. The purpose of this operation was to expedite Serveo service’s response and enhance accident inspections during urgent scenarios.
The introduction of drone technology could revolutionize on-road incident management. Drones can rapidly evaluate an on-road mishap, thus accelerating the response of conservation services and emergency departments, and significantly improving the support provided to accident victims. They offer a comprehensive bird’s-eye view of the incident, a vantage point vital for intricate accident investigations.
In coordination with the innovative operation, simultaneous examination of a 13-kilometre stretch of the M-608 road was conducted using a drone navigated from a moving vehicle equipped with LiDAR technology. The exercise aims to gather data for processing and analysis by Serveo and the Department of Housing, Transport, and Infrastructure of the Community of Madrid’s Directorate General of Roads. The data’s insights would aid planning necessary actions for enhancing safety measures on these road infrastructures.
Cristina Aragón, head of innovation at Serveo, highlighted, “This project demonstrates Serveo’s commitment to road safety and efficient infrastructure management, placing us at the forefront in the implementation of innovative solutions to promote safer and more sustainable transport.”
Alfredo Serret, Global Head of IoT at Telefónica Tech, shared his views: “We are very proud to carry out this innovative project with drones in the field of mobility that will improve road safety and speed up the response in case of accidents. It represents, without a doubt, an exciting step forward in the management of transport infrastructures and the prelude to being able to carry out this type of flights in the future with 5G technology.”
The project’s completion brought significant professional satisfaction to Pedro J. Capote, CEO of Operadora Navalair. He said, “This project has been a great challenge for our company. We have been able to demonstrate once again that drone technology is a great tool when it comes to obtaining data and images, among other of its multiple uses, with the resounding success of the operation. It has been a great pleasure to work hand in hand with the Telefónica Tech and Serveo teams, two giants that undoubtedly work every day to improve services for all users.”
