Syracuse company develops coronavirus-killing drone for arenas and stadiums

From Syracuse.com (May 10):

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse startup EagleHawk has developed a drone that can spray disinfectant to quickly kill the coronavirus in sports arenas and stadiums.

EagleHawk specializes in drones that use thermal cameras to detect roof leaks for government, college and university, medical and retail buildings. But when the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the U.S. in mid-March, much of that business dried up.

The company quickly shifted gears. It removed the thermal cameras from its drones and replaced them with a device that sprays disinfectant.

“As a team, we just kind of took a step back and said, ‘How can we help be part of the solution going forward with COVID-19,’” said CEO Patrick Walsh, referencing the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

The disinfectant is stored in a tank on the ground and pumped to the drone through an attached hose. A second drone flies near the disinfecting drone to hold the hose up to prevent it from getting caught on a seat or other objects. [read more]