Scholarly record

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN UAV FOR AUTOMATED WATER SAMPLING

Tymoteusz Turlej, Wiktor Onik, Aleksander Szedel, Piotr Kadziela, Bartosz Ludwin

Abstract

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly used in many industries and environmental monitoring systems. They play a particularly important role in the observation and research of difficult-to-access areas, such as watercourses, river basins, reservoirs, and wetlands. The ability to quickly measure basic physicochemical parameters of water, such as temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, and turbidity, is crucial for assessing the condition of the aquatic environment and initiating appropriate actions. The most reliable solution for long-term water quality monitoring remains stationary measurement systems that enable continuous data recording. However, in many locations, their installation is difficult or impossible due to terrain conditions, infrastructure costs, or the need to conduct measurements over a large area. In such cases, the use of mobile UAV platforms provides an effective solution that allows for rapid access to selected measurement points and conducts tests without requiring direct operator access to the measurement site. However, it should be noted that in addition to performing measurements directly in the aquatic environment (in situ), in many cases it is also necessary to collect water samples for detailed laboratory analyses. This article presents the design, construction, and testing of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to automatically monitor selected water quality parameters and collect liquid samples. Particular attention is paid to design solutions that enable accurate measurement, including platform stabilization during operation, sensor placement, and the design of the water sampling module. The developed scoop design and liquid surface detection system, which ensure proper sensor immersion and effective sample filling, are also presented. The proposed solution enables mobile water quality testing in hard-to-reach locations, increasing the efficiency and safety of environmental monitoring.

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