Assessing a Semi-Autonomous Drone-in-a-Box System for Landslide Monitoring

Commercial remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) are advancing rapidly, offering improved endurance, expanded sensor payloads, and increasingly sophisticated software capabilities. However, their operational efficiency remains limited by the need for on-site skilled human operators. Semi-autonomous drone-in-a-box (DIAB) systems are emerging as a practical solution, enabling automated, repeatable missions for applications such as construction monitoring, security, and critical infrastructure inspection. Beyond industry, these systems hold significant promise for scientific research, particularly in long-term environmental monitoring where cost, accessibility, and safety are critical factors. In this technology demonstration, we detail the system implementation, discuss flight-planning challenges, and assess the overall feasibility of deploying a DJI Dock 2 DIAB system for remote monitoring of an unstable mountain slope in northwestern Canada (Yukon Territory). The system was deployed approximately 2.5 km from the landslide and operated remotely from across the country in Montreal about 4,000 km away. This study highlights the potential of DIAB systems to support reliable, low-maintenance monitoring of remote natural hazards.