Field testing is essential for evaluating drone capabilities, as it exposes them to real-world conditions such as wind, rain, and variable lighting—challenges that indoor environments simply cannot replicate. By rigorously testing our drones outdoors, we ensure they are robust and reliable for various applications, including research, photography, and search and rescue missions.
Project Planning
Comprehensive and meticulous, ensuring seamless execution of netting solutions.
Design & Engineering Expertise
Innovative and experienced, delivering custom and efficient designs.
Unparalleled Work Ethic
Dedicated and committed, providing reliable and high-quality service.
Overview
University at Buffalo consultants first approached Gorilla Netting in early 2019. For over a year, the team at Gorilla Netting worked with consultants and SUNY, University at Buffalo (UB) representatives to design, engineer, and install a large Netted Drone Enclosure system for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) testing and research. The result is a massive 24,000-square-foot research facility, dubbed SOAR (Structure for Outdoor Autonomy Research)—The nation’s third-largest outdoor, enclosure drone-testing facility.
The netted drone enclosure is 200 feet long by 120 feet wide and 86 feet high (200’L x 120’W x 86’H), slightly more than half an acre. Gorilla Netting designed and built the netting system using staged steel poles and a little over 79,000 square feet of 4″ treated knotted nylon netting. SOAR is located on the North Campus of the University at Buffalo, adjacent to Crofts Hall.
Gorilla Netting only uses the highest-quality netting and provides a full 5-year warranty on material, labor, and equipment for turnkey netting installations. This includes our netting repair and placement projects.
For more information on netted drone testing enclosures, contact a Gorilla Netting representative today.
Client: The State University of New York at Buffalo “SUNY University at Buffalo” Netted Drone Enclosure
Location: Buffalo, NY
Services: Netted Drone Enclosure
Challenge
Conducting drone testing in outdoor settings poses numerous obstacles, particularly in regions with unpredictable weather patterns like the northern United States. Elements such as wind, rain, and fluctuating light conditions can significantly impact the drones’ performance and stability, underscoring the importance of evaluating their capabilities in real-world scenarios.
In these environments, strong wind gusts have the potential to destabilize drones, altering their flight paths and maneuverability. Additionally, precipitation, whether in the form of rain or snow, threatens the drones’ sensors and electrical components, potentially disrupting their functionality. Furthermore, varying light conditions can challenge the effectiveness of onboard cameras and other optical systems, affecting the quality of data collected.
By conducting outdoor testing, students and engineers can thoroughly assess the drones’ resilience to these environmental challenges. This hands-on approach enables them to refine drone designs, enhancing their reliability and safety across diverse conditions. Ultimately, this iterative process leads to the development of more robust and capable drone technologies applicable to a wide array of uses, including surveillance, aerial photography, and search and rescue missions.
Solution
Deploying a netted drone test enclosure system presents an optimal solution for conducting outdoor drone trials while minimizing potential hazards. This system encompasses a spacious, open-air enclosure fortified with robust poles and netting, encircling the testing zone to establish a secure and regulated space for drone experimentation. The netting acts as a protective barrier, preventing drones from straying beyond designated boundaries while allowing unrestricted movement within the allocated airspace. By employing this setup, the safety of both drones and nearby personnel is assured, as any unforeseen maneuvers or operational glitches are contained within the enclosure’s confines.
Gorilla Netting designs bespoke enclosures tailored to accommodate drones of diverse sizes and testing specifications. Whether evaluating compact consumer drones or large-scale industrial UAVs, our enclosures can be customized to meet specific research or educational requisites. Furthermore, our adaptable design allows for seamless expansion or reconfiguration to accommodate future advancements and the evolving landscape of drone technology, rendering it a sustainable investment for your institution’s research and development initiatives.
