INL trains with drones to use in future research projects

Drones are just about everywhere these days from law enforcement- using them for search and rescue efforts, journalists gathering video, and even people at home using it for entertainment.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is also getting in on the trend to use them for future research projects. Matthew Balderree with Idaho National Laboratory says the drones could be used for everything from a radio for the Department of Defense to figuring out habitation patterns of different animals. “This is definitely a way that we can help people out,” said Balderree.

Idaho National Lab hosted a training for the drones which range in costs from a few dollars to millions of dollars. The drones for the training are on the lower spectrum “we want to make sure that anyone who can do it is doing it safely first,” said Balderee. The training will go until Thursday.

According to the Idaho National Laboratory the lab has been involved with work with drones for many years. The Idaho DOE site also is home to the second largest authorized flying area for drones including a 100 by 1,000 foot runway for flying.