AUDIO: Jonah Teeter-Balin, AeroVironment?
Farmers want data to make decisions about crops and livestock.
The agricultural drone industry has appealed to growers seeking aerial photos of crops and livestock over the past three years.
Commercial drone pilots increased from zero to more than 100,000 in a short time. Many of pilots have a small quadcopter which may be used for news gathering, surveying, wildlife management or wedding photography. The agricultural industry, on the other hand, needs drones that can quickly scan large acreages and present data for interpretation.
I spoke to a company that makes a $16,500 kit that will do it all, from platform to software at Commodity Classic 2018.
AeroVironment? is a major player in the agricultural drone market. The company has a background with the Defense Department, making observation drones for the United States military. Its decision to move into the agricultural sector gives farmers a very sophisticated vertical launch, vertical land aerial platform which flies like an airplane to cover large areas in a short amount of time.
AUDIO: Profit Matters 3-2-18
For more information about AeroVironment?, click here.
