Why Traditional Air Monitoring Falls Short

What if we could see the invisible threats in the air around us such as particulate matter, methane leaks, and harmful gases, and act before they harm public health? Thanks to aerial drones and ground robotics, that vision is becoming reality.

In this article, you will learn how drones detect airborne pollutants, how robotic systems measure ground-level exposure, which products are leading the field, and how these technologies are used in real-world applications. We will also explore challenges, solutions, and the future of air quality monitoring.

Limitations of Fixed Ground Sensors

• Ground stations provide local data but they cannot measure vertical variation. Pollutant concentrations above the street may be very different from what is measured at breathing height.