RPAS Hub team members work with a wide range of research and industry partners, both inside and outside BCIT. This news coverage touches on the variety of work they’ve done over the years, sometimes through BCIT and sometimes as personal endeavours.
BCIT researcher using drones and AI in the battle against wildfire | BCIT News
August 19, 2024, by Cynthia van Ginkel—Forest fires are an ever-growing concern. At BCIT, researchers are combining RPAS with a field of artificial intelligence known as “computer vision” to improve forest fire management.
Drones are making remote runway inspections faster and safer | Northeastern Global News
June 13, 2024, by Cyrus Moulton—BCIT instructor Michal Aibin and Northeastern University colleagues are using drones, computer vision, and artificial intelligence to inspect remote airport runways.
A look from above: How drones can support salmon battling climate change | Salmon Steward Magazine
December 2023—As summer temperatures rise, salmon rely on pools of cooler groundwater to thrive. BCIT instructor Eric Saczuk has been partnering with the Pacific Salmon Foundation and Gitanyow Fisheries Authority to scan rivers for thermal refuges in habitat protection efforts.
Holistic wildfire management | Global News
June 7, 2023—BCIT instructor Justin Perry combines his passions for forestry and aviation by using RPAS to detect wildfires. In a recent interview with Global News, Justin explains how he uses drones with infrared technology to map out “hotspots,” or holdover fires, as part of a holistic approach to controlling fires in BC.
Drones give growers a tactical advantage | Orchard & Vine Magazine
May 15, 2023, by Rhonda Payne—With help from Eric Saczuk, Geosurv Solutions is using thermal images to improve surveying and mapping of agricultural soil movement in Salmon Arm.
How 20 Whistler, BC students are getting free drones | Pique Newsmagazine
April 12, 2023, by Megan Lalonde—Twenty Whistler-based students had the opportunity to learn about RPAS in BCIT’s four-week “Drone Applications for an Environmental Risk Assessment” micro-credential, funded by a grant from the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
Episode 7: Fly Right | Fireweed Podcast
Would you hop onboard an unpiloted drone for a quick trip across town? Bianca Rego, host of BCIT’s Fireweed podcast, poses that question in Episode 7.
BCIT alum Justin Perry mitigates BC wildfires using drone technology | BCIT News
January 31, 2022, Zahra Alani—What started out as a passion for both aviation and forestry ended up leading BCIT alumnus Justin Perry to his dream job.
On the scene: InDro Robotics in Saudi Arabia | indrorobotics.ca
November 10, 2021, by Scott Simmie—Read about Eric Saczuk’s work with InDro Robotics, helping a Saudia Arabian company develop a drone inspection and survey program.
Hearts in the ice: Drone technology | Canadian Geographic
January 10, 2020, by Tanya Kirnishni—Drones are providing new ways of tracking wildlife and mapping changes in the Arctic.
BCIT researcher uses drones to map Antarctica | Global News
December 28, 2018—In this Global News interview, Eric Saczuk talks about the feasibility of using drones to collect vital climate change data.
BCIT Drone Fair | Global News
February 20, 2016—Hundreds of people gathered at BCIT’s Burnaby campus this weekend to discuss the massive growing popularity of drones for both commercial and recreational use.