Robots at University of Surrey to monitor greenhouse gas emissions
Self-driving robots will fly with gas sensors attached, hoping to more accurately measure where emissions are coming from
Specially designed robots are being built at the University of Surrey to monitor greenhouse gas emissions.
A team of robotics experts, environmental engineers and microbiologists are working together on the project, which will see lightweight gas sensors attached to helium kites and flown by self-driving robots.
It's hoped this can more accurately measure greenhouse gas emissions, and where they are coming from.
The project is funded by a £62,000 grant from the Natural Environment Research Council, and one of 13 nationwide being supported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Dr Robert Siddall from the University of Surrey, said you can't tackle greenhouse gas emissions unless you know where they are.
"We're looking at not just carbon dioxide, we're looking at methane from farms, nitrous oxide from wastewater treatment," he said.
"We're trying to make something that can tell us exactly what's coming out in these places to a really accurate level so we can know whether certain mitigations are working."
Dr Siddall says their work will be better than fixed sensors that can not move, or drones which are limited in how long they can operate.
"We're going to be measuring the actual shape of the emissions, and we're moving around and tracking them on the site."