DummDumm Drones are Altering Water Monitoring

Clear water is among the most treasured sources we’ve got; but, checking its high quality has at all times been a tough, costly, and typically hazardous process. In lots of international locations, the present methodology includes sending folks out on boats to gather samples manually after which transporting them again for testing. It’s gradual, expensive, and in some instances dangerous — employees have drowned whereas making an attempt to take samples in rivers with sturdy currents or in areas that boats couldn’t attain.

DummDumm Inc., a younger Korean firm based in 2023, is tackling this drawback with drones. As an alternative of sending folks into the water, their service makes use of specifically designed drones to gather water samples and measure high quality in real-time. The drones are geared up with multispectral sensors that may detect anomalies. If one thing seems uncommon, they routinely acquire water from a exact depth — as much as 30 meters deep — with out mixing it with water from different layers (that’s essential). The samples, as much as 4 liters at a time, are flown again safely, and the outcomes are transmitted to a floor management system over 5G.

What makes this progressive isn’t just using drones, however the best way DummDumm solved the technical challenges that defeated earlier makes an attempt. A water sampler is heavy, and carrying liters of liquid within the air is unstable. Their drones make the most of improved motors, a fastidiously balanced sampler design, and a buoy system that enhances the general course of, making it smoother and safer. With a flight time of about 90 minutes (45 minutes if carrying a full water load), the system is totally unmanned and may cowl areas that may in any other case require ships, gas, and doubtlessly a number of folks.

DummDumm’s service can scale back prices by as a lot as 65 % in comparison with these older strategies, with even better financial savings in massive international locations the place distances are lengthy or the place there are a number of testing websites. The system isn’t nearly value, although — it additionally reduces the dangers to employees and permits the gathering of higher knowledge extra regularly.

The corporate’s enterprise mannequin combines {hardware} — the drones and their floor management system — with software program, provided as a subscription service. Prospects can obtain real-time monitoring, notifications, and knowledgeable evaluation, with service ranges tailor-made to their particular wants. Trying forward, DummDumm plans to boost this platform with AI-powered insights and cloud-based collaboration.

DummDumm has already examined its drones in Korean rivers, dams, and lakes with the assist of Okay-water and different public establishments. It signed an MoU in Thailand earlier this 12 months, and plans additional enlargement into Europe and past. The truth is, the corporate will make its worldwide debut at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, the place it goals to place itself as a full-stack water high quality administration platform, not only a drone maker.

In a world the place local weather change, air pollution, and inhabitants progress are placing extra stress on water sources, DummDumm’s strategy seems to be each well timed and essential. By combining drone expertise, superior sensors, and cloud-based knowledge providers, the corporate is displaying how the way forward for environmental monitoring may take flight — actually.

Filed in Green. Learn extra about CES, CES 2026, Drones, Korea and Water.