These days, it’s hard to find a classroom without some form of technology, whether it’s a projector, an interactive whiteboard, or students’ personal laptops. Drones have been rapidly adopted by the academic community because of their revolutionary impact on research conduct and countless industries in the workforce.
COPTRZ are working with over 100 universities and 40+ colleges, elevating students’ learning environment with hands-on and exciting technology. As well as hardware and software, COPTRZ are also rolling out our GVC/drone courses for many college staff and students across the country as part of their courses including construction, inspection, broadcasting, engineering, and media to name a few.
If your institution has been selected to deliver T Levels, read more to find out how you can receive funding to invest in industry leading drone technology, training for your staff, training for your students and bespoke 360º drone solution packages.
Get in touch to understand how COPTRZ are currently helping other colleges such as; University of Leeds, York, Chichester, CoWA, MK, Wigan & Leigh, Bedford, Walsall, Edinburgh, Burnley, Cardiff & Vale, Fareham, SMB, Hull, Oxford, Canterbury, Bolton etc. to get the best out of their drone strategies for their staff and students.
COPTRZ have trained over 1000 students and are a CAA NQE approved training provider. Our flagship GVC drone training course is also OFQUAL level 4 certified, meaning you and your students will be trained to the same standard of learning as a foundation or 1st year of a university degree.
Did you know you can get funding?
If your institution has been selected to deliver T-Levels, you can receive a spending package to invest in industry leading drone technology, training for your staff and students, and our bespoke 360°drone solution packages.
T-Levels are the new government vocational qualifications equivalent to three A-levels, developed in collaboration with enterprises to give students the workplace skills they need to succeed. Including a 45-day industry placement along side classroom-based work, students can progress into an apprenticeship or into another role.
Our Education Business Development, Jamie Cording, has helped a range of educational institutions like SMB, Wigan and Leigh, and Durham College, to introduce drone technology into their construction T-Levels. With drone technology expected to uplift the GDP in the UK’s construction industry by £8.6bn in 2023, it is essential that students are leveraging this technology to give them future-proof expertise for their career development.
Jamie Cording’s expertise is founded upon years of experience in the education sector where he has been commended countlessly for his outstanding level of knowledge and passion on the subject.
“I had the pleasure of attending a lesson led by Jamie from Coptrz about drones in construction for T levels at Leeds College of Building, and it was truly outstanding. The presentation was incredibly engaging and informative, and Jamie’s passion and knowledge on the subject was truly impressive. Our students had a fantastic experience and were thoroughly engaged throughout the entire lesson. Jamie’s expertise in the field was evident and the interactive elements of the presentation made it even more interesting. I would highly recommend Jamie and Coptrz for any future drone-related training needs. They truly exceeded my expectations and provided valuable insights for our students.” via Reviews.io.
– Fabrizio Sanna, Digital Lecturer in BIM&CAD at Leeds College of Building.
The University of Leeds Use Drones in £4.3m Research Project
The University of Leeds is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK and prides itself in the renowned quality of teaching and research. The university has a history of multimillion-pound infrastructure research programmes to address the cities largest issues.
They began working with COPTRZ in 2016 when they purchased their first two Matrice 600s. Since then, Leeds University students have benefited from our specialised training courses, which cover airspace and air law, navigation, meteorology, safe setup, and risk assessment.
The university states that,
“The drone training courses will provide students with a contemporary technology education, not typically part of a traditional University course.”
We spoke to Professor Robert Richardson, Director of the Institute for Design, Robotics and Optimisation, at the University of Leeds. He explains that drone technology is a valuable element of their aerial robotics module as the students can interact with elements including autonomous systems, picking, placing, and manipulating objects.
He discusses the ground-breaking invention his mechatronics students created through modifying a drone to autonomously repair potholes in the road.
By adding a modified payload, the students created the first drone in the world capable of 3D printing asphalt. The drone’s sensor detects road faults before landing on its custom-built tracks. Utilising GPS, the drone can then drive to the location and fill in cracks with the exact amount of asphalt necessary.
This is part of a £4.2m national infrastructure research project aimed at creating self-repairing cities.
The goal is to develop small robots that identify and fix utility pipes, streetlights, and roads with minimal environmental effect and public disruption.
The students are exploring areas of robotic design in three separate areas:
- “Perch and repair”, which involves developing drones that can perch on tall structures and perform repair tasks.
- “Fire and forget”, which develops robotics that will operate within live utility pipes and perform tasks including inspection, repair, metering, and reporting.
- “Perceive and patch”, which explores modifying drones to be able to inspect and repair potholes in the road.
This method is quieter, cheaper, and can be orchestrated at night with ease. Best of all- its autonomous!
Richardson enthuses that,
“Giving our students the knowledge of how to fly drones safely and within regulations is an essential part of their development, alongside the research-based learning and lab experience they need to design and build their own innovative systems. Bringing their skills and learning together by working with companies like COPTRZ means our students are ideally placed to become effective employees after graduation.”
With our customised training courses and drone packages, COPTRZ is thrilled to play a pivotal role in the educational development of these students.
Find out more about the project here.
The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly positive. Students appreciate the hands-on experience they gain from working directly with drones, enabling them to achieve significant advancements within their project. Richardson also reports that the students appreciate the flexibility of our virtual learning platform, COPTRZ Academy.
Cardiff and Vale College Using Drones for Construction
One of the biggest institutions in the UK, Cardiff and Vale College, offers construction courses that provide drone flying experience and teaching around using drones for project management and surveying in the industry. This includes photogrammetry, mapping, thermal imaging, and BIM.
COPTRZ have delivered bespoke training courses and CPD accredited learning for staff members. We have also sourced industry standard drones for the students to see first-hand what drones can offer to the construction industry. Cardiff and Vale College have used a range of drones recommended by us including the DJI Mavic 2 and Mavic 3 Enterprise, and the Parrot ANAFI Thermal.
Are you looking to add drones to your curriculum? You could be entitled to an exclusive discount on training, hardware, and software. Enquire now and we’ll be in touch with more information.
The University of Sheffield Uses the Parrot ANAFI Ai
The University of Sheffield offers top class aerospace teaching and research. Due to its emphasis on practical skills and academic success, the National Student Survey has consistently ranked its Aerospace Engineering degree programme as the best in the country for the past two years.
As part of the programme, students operate and make their own drones which helps students understand drone design, manufacturing, and testing. The drone’s capability in photogrammetry allows students to create 2D and 3D maps to conduct survey work, expanding their knowledge in the opportunities in drone technology. This knowledge can then lead on to research programmes undertaken at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Outside of engineering, the university claims that the Parrot ANAFI Ai has broader applications across other subjects. Geography and history students who work directly on surveying of locations can capture detailed imagery of sites and metrically accurate records for analysis and survey. Detailed images and videos can assist with risk assessments, produce 3D maps, and create an interesting learning tool for students. Their journalism students can also use the equipment to aid in the development of video clips and explore the potential of different shot types with an array of movement like swooping shots, cinematic pans, and smooth tracking shots.
The University of Bolton Uses Pix4D
The University of Bolton explains that drones, scanners, and 3D software are transforming the construction business, creating new roles and jobs.
In 2020, the university introduced two new drone-based courses and invested in new digital equipment supplied by COPTRZ. This to ensure that students have a solid awareness of the digital world and its applications across the industry.
Pix4D is an extensive drone mapping software that makes it easy to create data cubes of high-resolution imagery for high spatio-temporal imagery analysis
Malcolm Duncan, the subject Leader for Geospatial Engineering at the University of Bolton said,
“The students have enjoyed the course and particularly the flying demonstration together with the hands-on application of the data processing software Pix4D, in producing the 3D imagery and volumetrics determination, which gave added value to the student learning process”.
Summary
As drones continue to grow in popularity and practicality across a variety of sectors, it’s not surprising that universities are eager to include them into their curricula.
COPTRZ have helped over 1000 businesses to access the benefits of drone technology, providing cheaper, faster, and safer operational capability. Our unique proposition makes us the resounding market leader and it’s why we’re trusted to deliver ‘impartial 360º drone solutions’ to major organisations like BMW; Bombardier; Costain; EDF; MoD; Pfizer; 30+ Universities; 40+ Police Forces & Fire Services.
Steve Coulson, Founder and Managing Director at COPTRZ, explains,
“It’s great to see Universities and colleges providing their students with new teaching and learnings, and allowing them to unlock the potential that this current and modern technology has. It also offers hope for the future that the next generation of drone pilots will ensure the respect of the industry remains intact, showing businesses the true worth that drones offer them.”
It’s easier than you think to get started using drones, and the COPTRZ team of UAV experts can help guide you through the process. COPTRZ can supply a complete drone strategy, including the latest UAV products, software and NQE accredited CAA PfCO training to set you on your way to using drones as a teaching tool. Below are just several education facilities that we have helped harness the power of drones.
Speak to the commercial experts
If you have any queries or want to find out more about how you can harness the power of drones, or even have a drone trial at your school, college, or university – get in touch! Book a consultation here, email info@coptrz.com or call 0333 252 6473.
