Solar- and wave - powered sea drones equipped with cameras and sensors may soon be used to protect the British coastline from people traffickers . Last month, police revealed that hundreds of migrants have landed on beaches around Britain, or been smuggled into small ports. Detecting engine noise , the vessels are sensitive to traffic over a 5 mile radius . Drones such as Vreo Innovation ’s AutoNaut have attracted attention from government and law - enforcement agencies , with the UK Border Force reportedly monitoring the results of secret trials of this technology .
Solar- and wave - powered sea drones equipped with cameras and sensors may soon be used to protect the British coastline from people traffickers . Detecting engine noise , the vessels are sensitive to traffic over a 5 mile radius . Drones such as Vreo Innovation ’s AutoNaut have attracted attention from government and law - enforcement agencies , with the UK Border Force reportedly monitoring the results of secret trials of this technology .