Technology: NYSC member deploys drone at orientation camp

A 2014 batch ‘C’ corps member, Olaolu Ayoola, who is a graduate of Computer Science/Engineering from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, on Monday displayed a drone built by him, the drone took off and carried out surveillance of the parade ground at the Permanent Orientation Camp of the National Youth Service Corps. Ayoola, who is posted to Osun state, stole the show with his invention during the closing ceremony of the orientation course for the 2014 batch ‘C’ of corps members deployed in the state to the admiration of the state deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori. The drone, which soldiers and other security agents present at the event, described as a good invention, flew for about 10 minutes before it landed. The device is fixed with surveillance camera, and can stay in the air for 20 minutes and is capable of flying up for 500 meters. The device with remote control has 2.4G radio transmitter and carried out live recording of the event which was monitored on a black berry phone. Ayoola says that his love for aeronautics drove him into engaging in the device. Apart for military use, Ayoola said that the drone could also be used by politicians to hoist their flags and could also be used to monitor activities on large farms. He said, “This type of drone, if fully developed, could be used by farmers. You can deploy it to fly round a farm of about 20 hectares and you will monitor what is going on on the farm right from where the remote control is. “It can be used to monitor traffic situation and in case of flooding, the drone can monitor the area. “I spent over N20,000.00 to build this but I can do something with a bigger capacity and which will stay for more hours in the air if fund is available.”

The deputy governor who said she was impressed with the drone said the corps member should assembly youths anywhere he was posted to serve and teach them how to do this kind of invention. The State Coordinator, Mr. Abada Okpiroro, also commended the corps member for the drone.