Spraying drones could be coming to a farm near you
An agricultural drone will be coming to Thai farms in September after being introduced at the recent Agri Technica Asia Exhibition in Bangkok.
DJI, a commercial drones and aerial-imaging technology company, introduced their Agras MG-1P agricultural drone at the fair. The Agras MG-1P is a powerful and intelligent aerial platform designed to aid the agricultural sector in multiple ways.
Drones have emerged as a critical tool for the next-generation workforce around the world and especially in the field of agriculture, says Jiadong Sun, head of agriculture business for DJI Asia-Pacific,
“As the world population continues to grow, food demand is on the rise,” said Sun. “The industry is also faced with labour shortages and traditional practices that are less efficient, costly and may pose health risks. We believe that drone technology can play a bigger role to help tackle some of the fundamental challenges we are facing.”
Boasting more than a decade of knowledge and experience developing best-in-class aerial technology and together with its ecosystem partners, DJI aims is to provide comprehensive solutions that could support and bring tangible benefits to the farming community in Thailand, said a company press release.
Thailand will see Agras MG-1P drones available by the end of September.
The model features DJI’s flight-control system and integrated high-precision radar to ensure stability and accuracy. It includes a durable four-in-one radar system with an IP67 protection rating which functions during daylight and low-light operations. It is unaffected by light, dust or small particles.
During the flight, the drone scans the terrain below in real-time, automatically maintaining its height and distance from plants to ensure application of an optimal amount of liquid.
Users can select automatic, semi-automatic or manual operation modes, depending on terrain, with uniform spraying carried out via the drone’s nozzles.
The drone has four replaceable, metal nozzles, each placed directly below a motor. Downward airflow generated by the rotors increases spraying velocity, allowing the agent to reach plant stems and leaves near the soil.
The Agras MG-1P works together with the MG App 2.0 and is compatible with the PC-based software PC GS Pro, a mapping and waypoint software solution that uses aerial images of the mapped area to enhance efficiency during a spraying operation.
