This week’s “Around the Commercial Drone Industry” news round-up looks at how drones are helping climbers of Mount Everest, the ways robotic systems are protecting heritage sites in the UK, and a new DJI drone launch option on electric vehicles from BYD.

Drones Bring Safety and Efficiency to Mount Everest Climbers

According to the New York Times, officials in Nepal are experimenting with drones donated by DJI drones to assist climbers bring heavy loads up Mount Everest. According to the report, “When the main climbing season begins next month on Mount Everest, expedition companies will test drones that can ferry loads as heavy as 35 pounds in the high altitudes, bring back ladders used to set the climbing routes, and remove waste that is typically left behind.” The story asserts that “goods that would normally take seven hours to be transported by foot from Everest’s base camp to Camp I can be airlifted within 15 minutes.” Through the effort, Nepali officials hope to reduce accidents and injuries and “help make up for the declining numbers of Sherpas” who are “leaving because of the safety risks and better employment opportunities abroad.”

Robotic Systems Protect UK Heritage Sites

A BBC news report explains how York Minster and Historic England have joined forces to use land and aerial robotic systems to protect heritage sites from disasters like fires and floods. Officials are using the land-based robot “Spot” from Boston Dynamics, along with UAVs, to access hard-to-reach areas after a disaster and collect information on damaged buildings. According to a Historic England official, these vehicles “can navigate debris, climb stairs, and reach elevated structures that would normally require expensive and potentially risky methods of access,” which enables “faster, better-informed decisions about protecting a heritage site.”

Electric Vehicle Manufacturer Offers DJI Drone Launch Option

Unmanned Airspace reports that the China-based BYD has introduced a new a new vehicle-mounted drone-launching system on its vehicles. According to the report, “The new Lingyuan system integrates a drone with the vehicle, offering a vertical field of view to capture travel moments in real time.” The system, which is available on all BYD models, “features a retractable car-mounted landing pad enabling automated takeoff and landing, synchronized follow-shooting and storage and charging of the drone.”  The system is the result of a collaboration between BYD and DJI.