Sniffer Robotics Inc. (SRI), a pioneer in developing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for detecting and locating methane emissions leaks in landfills, is taking its technology global. The company has launched a new partnership program and secured its first partners, marking a significant step into the Canadian market. This partnership program aims to expand SRI’s UAS technology by collaborating with local industry service providers who will fly the SnifferDRONE for data collection. SRI will manage the data, transforming it into actionable information for compliance purposes or valuable insights that can optimize landfill operations.
SRI’s initial partner is DroneXperts Inc., based in Quebec City, Canada. DroneXperts brings extensive drone and environmental services expertise, managing remote flight operations for SRI to serve the Canadian market. This partnership has already yielded results, with SRI completing its first commercial operations in Canada. The work involved methane emissions monitoring inspections at landfills across five Canadian provinces, spanning from Quebec to Alberta. These commercial surveys also provided valuable experience for partner companies in efficient and effective landfill methane leak detection and localization using the SnifferDRONE UAS.
The Canadian government’s Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has proposed regulations for the waste sector, aiming to reduce methane emissions from landfills. These regulations, similar to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) landfill regulations, will require monitoring of methane concentrations across the entire landfill surface and at infrastructure locations. While the new regulations are expected to become effective in 2027, assessments of methane emissions from each landfill site are anticipated within the next year.
To comply with the ECCC Surface Emissions Monitoring (SEM) regulation, there are two methods. The first is a traditional SEM walking survey using a handheld sensor, a labor-intensive and potentially hazardous approach. The second method, an EPA-compliant approach known as Other Test Method 51 (OTM-51), employs aerial drones to measure methane concentrations. OTM-51 is recognized as the industry’s most precise, accurate, and comprehensive method for methane leak detection. Landfill operators are now utilizing the OTM-51 compliant SnifferDRONE system to assess their facilities in anticipation of the new ECCC regulations.
The partnerships with DroneXperts and future partners will enable SRI to deliver its SnifferDRONE solution throughout Canada, effectively meeting customer needs. As Arthur Mohr Jr., Chief Revenue Officer of Sniffer Robotics, stated, “We’re excited about the next phase of our business ushered in via a partner program designed to provide best in class, local service, with the scale to meet the entire needs of the market.”
Sniffer Robotics, through its partnership program, plans to expand its Canadian operations and announce additional partnerships in the coming months. This will expand the company’s industry-leading emissions monitoring system and solutions to more countries worldwide.
Sniffer Robotics is a leading environmental technology and services firm serving the waste, natural gas, and agriculture industries in the United States. Its technologies and services enhance emission detection and measurement, identify odor leaks, and generate revenue from increased gas capture for energy conversion, ultimately benefiting the environment. In December 2022, the company received US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval of its patented automated UAS for quarterly compliance monitoring (OTM-51) after extensive engagement with the agency. Sniffer Robotics is a recognized leader in aerial applications for greenhouse gas detection, location, and quantification within the Municipal Solid Waste sector, the third largest emitter of methane in the United States. The company was recently recognized as one of the top 250 Greentech Companies in America by TIME and Statista.
DroneXperts specializes in advanced embedded drone solutions that deliver critical data and actionable insights. With over 12 years of experience, DroneXperts offers a comprehensive range of services, including training, data acquisition, equipment rentals, repairs, and maintenance. The company’s mission is to support informed decision-making across industries, from individuals to large organizations, reflecting their versatility and expertise. Through their environmental branch of payloads, Enviro-DX, DroneXperts focuses on leveraging drone technology to address key environmental issues, providing accurate, high-quality data that empowers proactive environmental protection and preservation.
