Recent advancements in drone technology have ushered exciting prospects for various fields, from agriculture to wildlife research. One of the most notable developments is happening at New Mexico Tech, where researchers are merging robotics with nature. They are building drone replicas of birds—pheasants, ducks, and pigeons—using the bodies of deceased birds to create robotic systems aimed at monitoring wildlife behavior without disturbing their natural habitats.
According to Mostafa Hassanalian, the lead researcher and a mechanical engineering professor at New Mexico Tech, this innovative approach can overcome challenges faced by traditional drones, which often produce noise and can provoke strong reactions from wildlife. “Sometimes, you get a bird strike. The birds attack your drone, damaging it and potentially harming themselves,” he explained. By developing “nature-inspired robotic systems,” the researchers hope these new avian drones can record wildlife activity unobtrusively.
Hassanalian and his students have conducted tests with three species. Firstly, they crafted drones to mimic pheasants, employing real taxidermied parts to allow them flapping wings, making them less conspicuous among wild pheasants. The same strategy applies to the mallard duck, with research focusing on both swimming and flying capabilities. The latter closely mirrored the pheasant's design, focusing on flight dynamics, whereas the swimming version aimed to replicate the duck's ability to glide effortlessly through water.
Then there's the pigeon. Unlike the other two bird types, this drone features capabilities for real-time video capture. With the camera skillfully placed within the bird’s neck, researchers can set them up as stationary platforms to observe wildlife from vantage points without causing alarm.
Still, the researchers haven’t yet observed real-life reactions from other birds as their testing remains mainly within controlled environments on campus. Hassanalian acknowledges some hesitance: “There’s always the concern of other birds attacking the drone, but at the same time, I think we need to test these models outside.”
Essentially, all bird models they are utilizing have been collected from naturally deceased populations, ensuring ethics are maintained. “We’re not asking anyone to hunt birds for this project,” he clarified. “We’re strictly using birds who passed away naturally and were taxidermied.”
The drone designs may not only serve to aid wildlife researchers; the technology could also branch out to different fields, including potential uses for surveillance. Hassanalian admitted, “Although we currently focus on wildlife observation, I recognize these drones could be adapted for other uses, such as monitoring borders.”
Beyond this project, he also has broader ambitions—such as designing drones based on dandelions to aid seed dispersal, possibly addressing the alarming decline of bees, which are pivotal for pollination and seed distribution. “This research is still nascent, but I believe it could significantly influence environmental dynamics,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, the agricultural sector continues to embrace drone technology, particularly for precision farming. By 2024, the agriculture drone market is set to reach $2 billion and is expected to grow exponentially to $8.03 billion by 2029, reflecting significant advancements and greater adoption of precision agriculture methods. Investors and entrepreneurs are betting on drones to improve efficiency, from crop monitoring to targeted spraying options.
At the FIRA USA 2024 event held recently, attendees were exposed to cutting-edge technology transforming agricultural practices. The number of attendees was remarkable, with 2,200 participants arriving from 38 countries. Among them were 500 growers aiming to explore and evaluate new weed control machines and other technological innovations.
A key highlight was the showcase of various drone services. Companies like Skysense utilize standard DJI drones equipped with high-resolution cameras for advanced weed detection and plant counting. Their eye-catching service boasts operational costs starting at $10 per acre, all the way up to products equipped to scare off unwanted wildlife with audio devices.
Establishing partnerships seems to be the name of the game. Wilbur-Ellis, known for its extensive experience with vegetation and crop protection, has teamed up with Guardian Ag to deploy six SC1 drones, renowned for their 5.5-meter spray boom. Planned for actual use next year, the move seeks to tackle increasing challenges with securing qualified operators for aerial spraying.
“With the rising shortage of qualified spray operators, drones represent our clear pathway forward,” noted one representative from Wilbur-Ellis. The versatility of these drone systems allows users to switch between conventional and organic products, accommodating diverse agricultural practices.
The trends don’t just reflect simple transitions but showcase how technology supports traditional agricultural practices, thereby increasing productivity. Currently, the average medium payload capacity for farm drones is dominating the market, mainly due to its cost-efficiency and multitasking properties. Farmers operating smaller farms can easily leverage this technology, allowing customizable applications from monitoring crop health to applying treatments efficiently.
The overall social acceptance of drone use appears to be growing. This newfound trust stems not only from evident economic benefits but also emphasizes the urgency of addressing agronomic hurdles such as weed control and pest management. The shift might finally offer advanced solutions as the U.S. confronts mounting stresses on its food production systems.
For hopeful groups among farming communities, these drones symbolize efficiency, practicality, and currently necessary interventions to overcome pressing agricultural challenges. The synergy of research and business development continues to fuel revolutionary changes across multiple industries.
With these developments, it’s clear we’re standing on the verge of witnessing the integration of drones across various civilian applications, improving the ways we monitor our ecosystems, grow our food, and safeguard the environment. Society can eagerly look forward to continued innovations, with the promise of drones becoming synonymous with future farming and wildlife research.
