The Use of UAVs in Precision AgricultureBy: Bryce Payne

What’s a UAV? is an acronym for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, which is

defined as a powered, aerial vehicle that does not carry a human operator, uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift, can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely, can be expendable or recoverable, and can carry a lethal or nonlethal payload. (U.S. Department of Defense)

Benefits Less manpower required Less maintenance More flexible Capable of doing jobs that are hard, repetitive, and

dangerous.

Current Use Survey

Aerial photos NDVI Thermal images

UAVs in Agriculture

Pteryx UAV

Im IV-A

CropCam

Cropcam image-on-demand and is an inexpensive alternative to

satellite, or, flying an airplane over a field. provide images of crops, drainage, environmental, spraying,

precision agriculture, etc. http://www.cropcam.com/

Pteryx UAV flying multiple missions per day without reprogramming the autopilot ability to rearrange camera head interior with minimal effort single button operation no need for groundstation enclosing the camera for better protection against dirt ability to accommodate most powerful compact digital camera models, weight

range 200...1000g http://www.trigger.pl/pteryx/index.php

Potential UAV Sprayers

Yamaha's RMAXCost: RC $150,000~$230,000, Autonomous $1,000,000 (ground

station, antennas, computers, monitors and two complete autonomous airframes and a four camera system)

Challenges Cost Technical Experience Software Crashes Liability Farming Traditions

Conclusion UAVs can be very effective in high value crops (fruits and

vegetables) and large scale farms. As the price of electronics goes down the price for a UAV will

go down as well. Use of UAVs will become a great tool to the farmer in

surveying and possibly in pesticide spraying.

Questions?