Unmanned Aerial Vehicle The latest drone news
When we think about a future with laser weapons, we usually consider basic sci-fi tropes – Han Solo or Captain Picard taking pictures it out with one more violent alien baddie. However, the idea of a laser-laden future could come from the sky and the targets gained’t be Romulans or Sith Lords however a way more damaging drive – weeds.
Researchers with New Zealand-based agency AgResearch, in partnership with the Universities of Auckland and Michigan and NZ-based expertise agency Redfern Solutions Limited, not too long ago harvested a $1 million NZD grant ($711,00 USD) from the New Zealand authorities. The objective is to create a “map and zap” program which is able to deploy drones outfitted with lasers and sensors to eradicate the 1000’s of acres of weeds that threaten the nation’s crops. According to an AgResearch research, weeds value New Zealand’s bustling agricultural sector round $1.69 billion ($1.2 billion USD) in crop injury yearly.
“The idea is to mount specialist cameras on the drone that can first identify the weeds based on their unique chemical signatures and how they reflect light, and precisely map their locations using GPS,” program lead Kioumars Ghamkhar stated in an organization press launch.
“From there, we think smart spraying (rather than systemic and non-targeted use of chemicals), or the right kind of laser mounted on the drone could home in and damage the weed. We know there are lasers now available that could be suitable, and that they are extremely accurate, so if lasers are used, it would also avoid damaging the useful plants around the weed.”
Traditional weed-slaying applications are wasteful, costly and time-consuming, utilizing doubtlessly damaging chemical compounds and many water.
“We’ve already spoken with our collaborators in the universities about the lasers that are available that might be suitable,” Ghamkhar stated. “The effectiveness of lasers against plants has been tested overseas before but that was in the lab, and we’ll be taking it out in the field to test and see if it works as we have planned.”
If profitable, the laser drones (what an incredible film title!) will present one more unmanned aerial weapon for farmers throughout the globe.
A research launched this week predicts the ag drone market will exceed $four billion in worth by 2022 — representing a development fee of 30 p.c.
