The 'bumblebee' ascends 120 meters. The drone, named by those who have seen it fly, is in the Canary Islands, ready for its first fine. Levita and wait for a dam . The range of your vision is half a kilometer. The drivers he will hunt do not see or hear. He is stealthy, waiting to peck, at least 80 euros fine, for something as common as taking his arm out the window. It flies together with its clone, both of the DJI brand, Matrice 200 model. One of the most advanced unmanned aerial vehicles on the market: 5,500 euros cost, approved by the strict criteria of the Spanish Metrology Center to be able to fine for almost everything, with the clear exception of speeding. Its 17-inch propellers allow you to exceed 80 kilometers per hour without difficulty. It can withstand temperatures between -20 degrees and 45 degrees, rain, sun and wind, so much that it is even recommended to monitor wind farms and high voltage towers. They are the first drones that can sanction you. And so they do. His first victim has been caught in Tenerife.
The user will find out with the arrival of the fine processed before by the Center for the Treatment of Automated Complaints of León. In the envelope will go the photo of the fault in high resolution. If you try to appeal, the video recorded by Matrice 200 will be the definitive proof. Equipped with a Zenmuse Z30 optics, there is no way to escape. Its accuracy is such that it is recommended even for film shootings, fire surveillance and sensitive installations.
"These drones have the same rank as those of the National Intelligence Center," says Rubén López Segovia, head of the DGT Air Media Unit and creator of this latest way of monitoring Spanish roads. And to fine. They are, for now, only three drones enabled to do so. Its pilots are José Antonio Fernández (49) and Adrián José Arronte Beberide (35 years old). Pilots who drive them from the ground. Leaving one of the three without taking off, prepared in case a contingency arises. Both drone drivers are also certified pilots of manned aircraft. Adrian is a helicopter. José Antonio, from ultralights and is also head of the DGT video section. Trained for years, they are the pioneers, the most outstanding graduates of the internal drone piloting training school of the DGT.
It all started 24 months ago. Given the budgetary limitations of his biggest sisters, the nicknames bees , the nickname of the Pegasus helicopters, the terror of the offenders. There are 15 and its effectiveness is more than proven. The problem is its price: each of them costs between four and six million euros. Not only that. The flight time is estimated at 1,500 euros. Thus, López Segovia and his people launched this pioneering project in Europe and the world. «We saw that little by little, in different areas they are gaining ground in the helicopter sector. Especially in the field of surveillance ». And they decided it was the way to go for the DGT.
This kind of drone, indeed, was already used efficiently to inspect wind turbines, to search for missing persons in rugged areas , to supervise electrical towers in inaccessible areas, in the fight against fires, oil platforms, cartography and much more.
Spain, by using it to catch traffic offenders, is a pioneer. And controversial. The drivers are for and against. Some believe that everything that helps deter and control the daredevils is valid. "The drones aim to protect the most unprotected groups, such as pedestrians and cyclists," says López Segovia. Also to test situations very difficult to control by patrols. For example, put your feet on the dashboard, which is penalized with 100 euros. Or throw a cigarette butt on the road, four points and 200 euros fine. Travel without a shirt, three points less and 200 euros. Not respecting a yield, four points and 300 euros of fine ... It can be useful for many to review again what can be done or not in a car and on the roads.
There are also those who openly criticize them because they believe that this swarm of bumblebees only has a collection effort. It should be noted that, considering its price, with slight fines, of those of 100 euros, only 55 fines will be needed to pay for one of the devices.
Why did they start in Tenerife, in full operation after August? «It is an operational issue. The Canary Islands is one of the areas that does not have a base for the Pegasus. The trip to the islands of the helicopters is very complicated. It will be easier to control drivers with these drones, ”says López Segovia. Because of its size it makes its transportation by air relatively easy. Each one measures 71.6 centimeters and weighs only 3.80 kilograms. They go inside a rigid suitcase that protects them. Apart from the drone pilot, there is an operator who manages the camera, who can be an officer of the DGT or the Civil Guard. In the first operation six people have moved in total.
The current biggest problem with drones is that their battery only allows them to operate for 20 minutes in a row. But that inconvenience is overcome when they return to the base - a vehicle with control monitors and computer equipment, which seems to have come out of a spy film -, where the batteries are changed and immediately fly again. And, if an emergency requires it, another drone will fly.
The number of bumblebees will soon multiply. Right now there are only three drones that can fine. But the process of acquiring 20 more is already underway. Are there enough pilots? «We have already trained 15 drone operators. Apart from José Antonio and Adrián, the rest are training with eight other simpler devices - Phantom 4 model, 1,200 euros each - that cannot be fined, but they control traffic and scenarios such as the passage of the Strait. These, of detecting an infraction, can warn a patrol and is fine. The head of the DGT Air Media Unit does not want to advance it, but unofficially it has been leaked that - according to the results obtained this year - this unit will increase progressively until it reaches one hundred bumblebees .
The tests that have been carried out for a year indicate that the percentage of fines will increase exponentially. And, therefore, the collection for situations as serious as traveling in the opposite direction - a fine of 500 euros and six points - not only of motor vehicles, but also, of course, a squad of irresponsible cyclists caught by drones.
"The only thing that differentiates them from the Pegasus now is that they can't fine for speed." But within the future plan is to incorporate a precise measurement system that achieves it. Probably with the next generation of unmanned aerial vehicles. Although everything depends on passing the certification of the Spanish Metrology Center. From the DGT, they believe that "its effect will be rather deterrent," López completes.
Bumblebees have arrived, no doubt, to stay.
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