New collaboration highlights the growing ROI of drone programs in remote and regulated environment
Drone-Enabled Environmental Sampling Launches in Michigan
SampleServe, a Michigan-based company known for digital environmental sampling tools, has announced a new partnership with drone logistics firm blueflite. Together, the companies aim to improve water and sediment sampling by integrating drone automation with a digital workflow platform.
The solution combines blueflite’s advanced tiltrotor drone with SampleServe’s environmental data software. It enables remote water sampling without the need for boats or manual collection. According to the companies, the system reduces costs, improves safety, and accelerates results for environmental consultants and agencies.
Meeting Urgent Water Quality Needs
Water quality challenges are growing due to scarcity and increased regulation. Programs like the EPA’s Environmental Sampling and Analytical Methods (ESAM) and the National Water Quality Monitoring Network emphasize the need for efficient data collection. The SampleServe-blueflite system is designed to meet these needs across a range of aquatic environments.
Drones in the new system are GPS-guided, allowing them to collect water and sediment samples from wetlands, lakes, rivers, and sewer lagoons. The collected data flows directly into SampleServe’s software, where it can be analyzed and shared for regulatory reporting.
“At SampleServe, our mission is to streamline environmental sampling through digital innovation,” said Russell Schindler, CEO of SampleServe. “Partnering with blueflite allows us to extend our capabilities with cutting-edge drone technology, delivering faster results and significant cost savings to our clients.”
A Practical Demonstration in Traverse City
The partnership was recently demonstrated in Traverse City, Michigan. During the event, blueflite’s tiltrotor drone completed a live water sampling mission. The demonstration, attended by industry leaders and government representatives, showed how the system can be used in real-world monitoring operations.
“Blueflite’s drone platform is built for reliability and versatility in demanding applications,” said Frank Noppel, CEO of blueflite. “By combining our technology with SampleServe’s expertise in environmental workflows, we’re creating a powerful tool for the future of water quality monitoring.”
High ROI in Difficult Environments
This partnership highlights a broader trend across the drone industry: the increasing return on investment from drone deployments in difficult or hazardous environments. Drones like blueflite’s tiltrotor can access areas that are hard to reach, replacing expensive tools such as crewed boats and helicopters.
As industries face growing pressure to deliver more with fewer resources, drone-enabled systems offer a safer, faster, and more cost-effective solution.
Next Steps and Global Reach
Under the agreement, SampleServe and blueflite will co-market the drone solution and customize it for a wide range of clients. The companies plan to expand the technology’s reach to global regions where water monitoring is a priority.
With climate challenges and environmental regulations on the rise, partnerships like this may become the new standard for monitoring natural resources.
For more information, visit:
www.sampleserve.com
www.blueflite.com
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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