Drone’s eye view of the NATE UAS Expo
UPDATE Valmont Industries wanted “all eyes on the sky” when it hosted the 2022 NATE UAS Expo on June 28, at the company’s Valley campus. Demonstrations of advanced drone technology were seen in full display by over 175 stakeholders representing industry and government. The showcase, part of a joint effort with NATE UAS Operations, a first of its kind study, took place to measure the safety and effectiveness of drones operating in proximity to cellular towers.
NATE President/CEO Todd Schlekeway said the UAS Committee plans to collaborate with the Telecommunications Industry Association and the Telecommunications Industry Foundation to publish a white paper summarizing the data and tests from the UAS Expo event. “This will provide the industry with the foundational data and results needed to conserve resources and elevate the awareness to aid in inspection, repair, and maintenance of critical infrastructure.”
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts provided insight on how the state is also incorporating drone technologies to be more efficient, expedite response times, and applauded the advancements securing infrastructure improvement. Industry leaders including officials from the FAA, U.S. Department of Labor, and OSHA also delivered remarks during the event.
Aaron Schapper, Valmont Industries Group President for Infrastructure, said drones have a lot of practical use in making sure our nation’s infrastructure runs smoothly. “Many people don’t realize how we’re bringing new technologies to bear in the field. And so what you’re seeing is … the newest and the latest in drone technology, that’s going to work on inspection of our products,” stated Schapper. “Valmont is leveraging drone technology as an effective inspection tool for the utility, wireless, and telecom market. It continues to prove effective as a critical tool to aid in greater safety for workers, increased uptime due to ease of inspection, and shows how technology can fill the gap of industry labor shortages while creating a new breed of job opportunities.”
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