Sustainability in Drone Technology – Tracking Using Drone

Sustainability and Industry 4.0 technologies are increasingly integrated into modern production. Among these, drones represent a newer autonomous device with potential beyond aerial photography. This paper introduces a novel industrial application of drones: inventory checks and tracking of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). At the University of Miskolc’s Logistics 4.0 Laboratory in Hungary, a roller conveyor system transports unit loads, supported by one larger AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) and two smaller AMRs. While these ground-based devices navigate independently, their sensing is limited to ground level. The proposed drone solution enhances this system by performing horizontal photographic inventory checks and tracking the movement of mobile robots from above. This dual-purpose use of a single drone improves motion accuracy and reduces the need for multiple tracking systems. The paper outlines the system’s design and presents the results of implementing this drone-supported approach.