national rural issues transformative robots€¦ · precision agriculture, autosteer and ......

NATIONAL RURAL ISSUES

Transformative technologies

A fact sheet series on new and emerging transformative technologies in Australian agriculture

Robots

� Robots have the potential to increase farm productivity by increasing the efficiency of labour and inputs, therefore reducing costs of production.

� Robots may change farming techniques and the skills required for a career in agriculture.

� Food production may become automated, from the paddock to the plate.

� Most novel robotic applications in agriculture are at proof of concept stage, and costs and performance have not been predicted at a commercial scale of adoption.

� Operating standards and regulations are not currently in place to support commercial application of some types of robots.

Snapshot

Robots are machines that operate autonomously, remotely and intelligently. They generally carry out tasks that are repetitive, dangerous or require high levels of speed and precision. Already common in some primary industries, robots have the potential to address agricultural productivity and labour shortages.

While there is some debate over a formal definition, it is generally accepted that robots can

be programmed to collect and process data, operate autonomously (to a degree), sense and

respond to their surroundings and move themselves or their parts around their environment.

Robots are generally characterised as ground-based or aerial machines, however some virtual

(internet-based) software programs are called “bots” because they undertake repetitive and

automated tasks at high speed, such as chat bots and internet game bots. Robots that have

been collectively programmed to operate cooperatively are known as swarm bots.

Robotic activity is normally planned and controlled by an operator, even if remotely or through

a computer program. For a robot to be classified as intelligent, it will have the ability to carry

out its tasks in an unstructured environment where decisions and actions are based on a form

of artificial intelligence or machine learning.

Robotic applications are constantly applied to new machine types and structures but the main

categories of robots are:

� stationary robots

� wheeled robots

� aerial robots

� legged robots.

Photo - University of Sydney

A fact sheet series on new and emerging

transformative technologies in Australian agriculture

Agricultural applications

Using machines to increase productivity is not new in Australian primary industries, with many industries being mechanised along the supply chain. The introduction of robots has the potential to further improve productivity through supplementing or enhancing human activities.

Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore operations in Western Australia use 69 autonomous ore trucks controlled by

technicians 1200 kilometres away in Perth. Rio Tinto is trialling driverless trains and robotic drills with the

ultimate goal of an automated mine, from the pit to the port, managed from Perth.

Patrick’s Botany Bay wharf in Sydney uses 45 automated straddles (AutoStradsTM) to manage the stevedoring

tasks previously undertaken by a human workforce. Using a radar-based navigation system, AutoStrads move

shipping containers around the wharf, loading them into stacks and on to trucks.

An element of automation already exists in many areas of agriculture. Precision agriculture, autosteer and

controlled traffic farming are technologies enabled by global positioning systems (GPS). Robots are the next

step, using these and other new technologies in combination with remotely-sensed data, to support new levels

of decision making and assume some traditional farmer roles.

Addressing labour shortagesAutomated or robotic milking systems address the twin challenges faced by dairy farmers of labour intensity

and labour shortages. Automation reduces the need for people to be present during milking, providing

additional time and flexibility to focus on other areas of farm management.

Robotic milking systems use sensors and a camera or laser-guided milking cups to guide a robotic arm to the

udder, clean the teats and attach milking cups. When milking is complete the cups are removed automatically.

Additionally, each cow may be fitted with a transponder, which registers the animal as it enters the dairy and

collects data enabling milk production, milk quality and herd health to be monitored.

In Europe, manufacturers of automatic milking systems predict that by 2025 almost half of the herds in leading

dairy countries, such as Denmark and the Netherlands, will be milked by robots. Robotic dairies, with varying

levels of automation, have been available commercially in Australia since 2001. However, Dairy Australia believes

adoption has been slow due to a lack of long-term performance information about robotic dairies in Australian

pasture-based systems. While the cost of installing a robotic dairy is similar to installing a conventional dairy, the

outlay remains significant and likely not warranted if an existing dairy is still functional and suited to the scale of

the farming operation.

Quad bikes, cattle dogs or feed-based rewards are the usual methods to herd cattle, but a herding robot could

be the way of the future. The Australian Centre for Field Robotics, at the University of Sydney, first tested a

prototype robot, nick-named Rover, on dairy herds in 2013. The robot uses LiDAR (technology based on the

principle of radar but using light from a laser) to detect the cows and GPS to track movement. Herding robots

have the potential to reduce labour requirements in the field and improve animal welfare by moving livestock

at a consistent and appropriate pace.

Another University of Sydney farm trial is assessing a herding robot that monitors animal and pasture health.

Using thermal and vision sensors, the robot will be trained to identify injured or sick animals by body

temperature and gait, as well as using colour, texture and shape sensors to monitor ground cover.

Reducing input costsUniversity of Sydney’s RIPPA (Robot for Intelligent Perception and Precision Application) uses GPS and

sensors and Queensland University of Technology’s AgBot II uses robotic vision to identify weeds in broadacre

crops. The robots autonomously and directly apply herbicide to detected weeds. SwarmFarm Robotics has

demonstrated three autonomous robots that work cooperatively to undertake weed control on a wheat farm

near Emerald in Queensland. Queensland University of Technology believes robots could reduce the weed

management costs, such as energy, labour and chemicals, by up to 90%. The next step in robotic technology

in field crops is to develop robots for fertilising, thinning and harvesting.


3


Robots

Trials by the University of Sydney may contribute to the development of fruit picking robots. Two robots,

nick-named Mantis and Shrimp, worked concurrently on either side of fruit trees using cameras, lasers and

software to identify flowers and fruit, gathering data to estimate yield. The robots also determined patterns in

yield variation, guiding the planting of more pollination trees to raise crop productivity.

Queensland University of Technology is developing a capsicum picking robot, nick-named Harvey, that uses

robotic vision and an inbuilt camera system to create a 3D representation of the capsicum enabling a robotic

hand to grip the fruit and cut the stem.

Overseas, a wheeled robotic apple picker in Israel is claimed to harvest 10 times faster than humans.

A small, experimental spherical “hamster wheel” robot called a Rosphere, developed in Spain, will roll through

crops without the use of wheels or legs and collect data on soil composition, temperature and moisture,

and plant health.

Improving processing efficiencies A SunRice mill runs six high-speed autonomous production lines, which include robotic palletisers capable of

handling and packing almost 40 different rice products in a combination of bag sizes. The robots have earned

a 1–2 year return on investment, through increased throughput and operating efficiencies, as well as improved

worker safety by eliminating manual handling.

Robotic technology used in the processing of lamb carcasses, increases efficiency, worker safety and returns

to producers. An X-ray guided system called LEAP™ creates images of each lamb carcase, directing automated

machines and robots to slice the carcase with high levels of speed and accuracy, maximising meat yield.

In Japan, a new horticulture enterprise will be run entirely by robots, from seeding to harvest, in a 4800 square

metre protected cropping complex, producing a predicted 10 million lettuces per year.

Monitoring the landscapeAerial robots are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) customised with cameras or sensors for a wide range

of purposes. In Australia, farmers use UAVs to monitor livestock, pastures, water troughs and fence lines.

Commercial providers use UAVs to create NDVI (normalised difference vegetation index) images to guide crop

management and researchers use UAVs to detect crop or animal stress, and for soil and water management.

In the United States, examples of aerial robot use include monitoring potato crop stress, measuring plant

nursery inventory and aerial spraying for small or undulating farms, such as vineyards. Cherry producers are

also looking at UAVs to replace helicopters in providing downdraft to dry rain-affected fruit prior to harvest.

The University of New England’s SMART Farm is using UAVs to measure and record plant canopies and pasture

biomass to remotely calculate available feed, growth rates, and the water and nutrient status of plants.

UAVs are also well-suited to biosecurity surveillance in large, remote or difficult to access locations, enabling

identification of weeds, pests and diseases. Appropriately equipped UAVs could also autonomously treat and

manage threats. Being non-invasive, UAVs also reduce the risk of transmission of seeds and pathogens by

ground vehicles, footwear and clothing.

Photo - SunRice



Robotic tractor is an extra pair of hands on the farm

Robotic tractors will be important members of the farm workforce in grain growing areas in 10–15 years’ time. As well as filling labour shortages, robotic tractors will collect data on crop growth and conditions to assist crop management decisions and improve farm productivity.

The issueWhen it comes to attracting labour, farmers in the

Australian rice industry face the same challenges as

their colleagues in most other agricultural industries.

The seasonal nature of the work and variable planting

conditions from year-to-year mean that employing

permanent or full-time staff is not a viable option for

many farmers. The very same issues can make it

difficult to attract staff at the peak work periods.

The millennium drought, which lasted for 14 years

in parts of southern New South Wales, saw the rice

industry’s production fall from an industry benchmark

of one million tonnes to 19,000 tonnes in 2008. As

a result, many skilled people left the region to find

employment.

After the break of the drought in 2010, as the industry

started to move back towards full production, the

critical lack of capable staff at all skill levels became

apparent. At a farm level, labour shortages limited

production capacity and the ability for individual

businesses to expand. At an industry level, lower than

optimum farm production constrained an industry that

historically generated over $4 billion annually. In 2016

these constraints remain apparent.

The technologyRice Research Australia Pty Ltd (RRAPL) is a 1830

hectare research facility near Jerilderie in southern

New South Wales. It was established to undertake

research and development on behalf of the rice

industry. As well as rice, RRAPL produces wheat,

canola and barley and runs beef cattle.

Manager of RRAPL, Russell Ford, said they were

always looking for the next technology to improve

on-farm efficiencies.

“Robotic tractors are the next logical step after

autosteer, to provide an additional level of precision

in farm operations.”

In 2016, RRAPL trialled a front-wheel assist, track-

driven Yanmar EG105 EcoTra self-steering tractor and

demonstrated that it could be used autonomously for

spraying, cultivation and fertiliser application, in both

dryland and irrigated paddocks. The robotic tractor

could guide machinery and carry out operations to

within three centimetres accuracy.

The tractor was equipped to collect crop data,

including canopy health and moisture status, as well

as stream data about its own functions, including fuel

consumption and engine temperature. This allowed

for the remote monitoring of real-time crop condition

and machinery status.

The tractor used at RRAPL was fitted with a satellite

receiver and guided by the Quasi-Zenith Satellite

System (QZSS) launched by Japan in 2010. By 2018,

QZSS will have four satellites in orbit, providing

Australian farmers with 24-hour satellite positioning

capability, without the need for ground-based

positioning stations or mobile phone networks.

Guided by ultrasonic sensors, the tractor operated

within a virtual boundary to ensure the safety of

people working nearby. The operators had access to a

‘kill switch’ to override the tractor if it operated outside

its parameters.

Robotic tractors address

labour shortages by

operating autonomously in

one paddock while farmers

work elsewhere on farm or

even while they sleep!

Photo - Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia


Robots

5


Robots

Case study

Contact detailsRussell Ford

Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd

E: [email protected]

T: 03 5886 1391

The benefitsRobotic tractors will take the pressure off farmers

struggling to find skilled staff and enable them to

get on with other jobs. There are clear safety benefits

for farmers not having to drive for excessive hours

during planting and harvest, to compensate for

labour shortages.

Russell believes that robotic tractors will also increase

on-farm efficiencies through enhancing existing

precision agriculture technologies.

“When commercially available, robotic tractors will

be more precise than human drivers, and more

importantly this accuracy will be repeatable. Robotic

tractors will turn at the end of rows perfectly, every

time. They will manage variable rate chemical

applications perfectly, every time.”

This means farmers save money on inputs while

improving crop health and productivity.

One clear benefit from using QZSS-guided tractors

is that global positioning doesn’t rely on a mobile

network.

“A mobile phone network to support precision

agriculture applications is not practical in some

areas. This system offers the potential to remove

that reliance on the mobile phone and in doing so,

removes a major barrier to adoption in Australia.”

Ultimately, the technology will be applied to all farm

machinery creating autonomous systems at a range

of scales that can operate continuously without

human intervention.

The futureBased on the promise shown in the trial,

Russell believes robotic tractors will be operating

commercially in Australia within 10 to 15 years,

but some adjustments will be required before

they become a standard feature on farms.

“The next step will be to improve the tractor’s ability

to better respond to remote safety sensors. Robotic

tractors will be ideal for crop monitoring using the

latest imaging devices.”

Once commercially available, Russell believes the

robotic tractors could be adopted quickly in the

rice industry.

“When the safety aspects of robotic tractors are

sorted, I think the Riverina’s long, straight and flat

paddocks will provide ease of operation, and robotic

tractors will appeal to a number of farmers.”

Robotic tractors guided by

GPS (via satellites) remove a

major barrier to adoption for

farmers in areas with limited

mobile phone services.

Photo - Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd



Transforming agriculture

Robots have the potential to improve farmer decision-making, reduce input costs, lower the reliance on scarce human labour to undertake repetitive and precise tasks, and improve the lifestyle and safety of farming.

Robots can be used along the agricultural supply chain to enhance safety in hazardous work places

and improve production efficiencies. The impact of robots displacing the human workforce has been

questioned but for most agricultural and manufacturing industries, labour shortages are the key reason

for investing in robotics.

Skills and careersRobots will almost certainly change the business of farming. For example, farmers may spend more time

operating computers and analysing data than physically managing crops or livestock. Farmers may be required

to have additional expertise in maintaining robotic equipment and reasonably high levels of information

technology skills; and some low-skill labouring jobs may disappear.

The scale and pace at which Australian farmers will be able to benefit from the introduction of robotics will

depend on their existing rate of adoption of technology. Farmers who currently use semi or fully autonomous

technologies within their existing operations are likely to readily and quickly adopt emerging robotic technology.

Agronomists predict that their role will evolve into one that is more focused on interpreting multiple sources

of data to support decision-making, rather than inspecting farms in person.

Over time, robots will influence the skills needed to pursue a career in farming and agricultural industries.

Farm design and operationBeyond automation of existing practices is the need for Australian agricultural industries to consider how

automation will influence future farm design and operation.

Tree crop farmers are already planting trees, for example apples and almonds, on inclined trellises to

create ease of access for machinery between the rows, as well as for production benefits. This will support

autonomous robotic functions, as fruit can be accessed more easily when the tree grows on trellises and

tree height is contained. If robots are to be used in planting and harvesting operations, current paddock

and greenhouse layouts may need to be re-designed to facilitate their movement around the farm.

Most existing prototype on-farm robots are around the size of a small car, much smaller than agricultural

machinery currently used in planting, spraying and harvesting. The advent of smaller machines to undertake farm

work could see land currently considered too small or inaccessible put back into agricultural production. Pending

their price point, robots could maximise the existing productive capacity of land currently considered marginal or

uneconomical to farm, and provide farmers with additional cropping land or enable diversification options.

Smaller machines also provide farmers with an opportunity to scale their operations, allowing farmers reaching

retirement age to continue farming small areas of land autonomously and young farmers to scale up their

operations one paddock and one robot at a time. Smaller robots may also support positive environmental

outcomes through reducing the need for land clearing to reach economic scale, using less fuel (most

prototypes are trialling renewable energy) and reducing the soil compaction caused by larger machinery.

Photo - Will Bignell

7


Robots

If farm operations can be run remotely, reducing or eliminating an on-farm human presence, the security of

robots, crops and livestock needs to be considered. Remote operation of farms may also place additional

pressure on declining regional populations, although there is a counter argument that robotics and technology

will attract and retain more people to the regions as agriculture becomes a more attractive and accessible

career to young people.

Most industries agree that the use of robotics, particularly in weed control, could reduce farm inputs by targeted

application, increase productivity and result in better environmental outcomes.

Manufacturing and processingRobots can operate continuously in harsh environments, such as freezers with low oxygen or near high-

temperature ovens, using dangerous and heavy equipment; therefore many opportunities exist for robots

to be used in the processing of food and fibre products.

Robots can reduce waste through precision operation and with the appropriate hygiene standards, robots

reduce the risk of contamination due to human error in raw food handling.

While robots are generally restricted to roles that deliver manufacturing efficiencies, new advances in gripper

technology, hygienic design and intelligent image processing, means companies are exploring the opportunity

for robots to autonomously manufacture, or engineer, food.

Using sensors, robots can form, grind, and cut food products to deliver a consistent quality, size and shape of

end product. With improvements in digital image processing, robots can now see and react to different

processing circumstances, based on pre-determined algorithms or using artificial intelligence. This will enable

robots to make decisions based on measurements, readings and perception of the product in front of them.

The impact of this technology on food production is not fully understood, but it will most likely create new

categories of product specifications, or refine existing specifications, at the farm gate. For example, robots with

machine learning to recognise a product within an agreed size and shape range, will result in produce outside

those specifications being unsuitable for processing.

On the other hand, through precision operations, robots and automated machines can be used to reduce

waste in processing, increasing returns to producers through a more efficient value chain. The LEAP™ system

developed by Scott Technology and Meat & Livestock Australia minimises waste while maximising the volume

of higher value cuts, which on its own increases lamb carcase value by $1.30–$4.20 per head (as at 2015).




Challenges for adoption

The main challenge to the adoption of robots in Australian agriculture is the fact that the technology is not sufficiently advanced for widespread uptake. In 2016, most agricultural robots for operation on individual farms are still in the trial or proof of concept stage.

The Queensland University of Technology identified four general barriers to widespread adoption of robots

in agriculture in 2014.

Technology — Most agricultural robots are working in trial situations where they have continual access to

technicians and engineering support. The challenge is to build a robot for commercial operations that is reliable

and robust, simple enough to operate and low cost. A lack of coordinated data and standards may also prevent

on-farm adoption, and there is a need for robots to be able to operate across multiple hardware and software

platforms.

Regulation and certification — Protocols for the operation of autonomous robots may need to be developed,

particularly in relation to safety on farms. Preliminary regulations for the operation of UAVs have been developed,

however ground-based robots have not been included. Including on-farm robotic functions in such regulations

may also affect insurance cover and premiums.

Business — As at 2016, there is not enough commercial performance data to identify the value or expected

return on investment of robotics to Australian farm businesses. Further, agriculture consists of many small

businesses with limited access to capital for business development, which may delay the uptake of robotics

in the industry. This is in contrast to large mining or stevedoring businesses with financial capacity to invest in

research and capital upgrades. The challenge for agricultural engineers is to develop low-cost technology

without sacrificing quality or reliability.

Legal and socio-economical aspects — Liability for the actions of robots may need to be determined,

particularly if robots acting autonomously cause damage to people, property, crops or the environment.

The social acceptability of robots in the landscape may also need to be considered.

Challenges for the adoption of robots, partially addressed in the list above but likely to be significant, include

the robustness of the technology for agricultural applications and the aging target user group.

Limited robustnessIn regards to UAVs, adoption of readily available aerial robotic technology for use in extensive agriculture

is limited. In 2016, most off-the-shelf UAVs can only travel about 10 kilometres or for 30 minutes, making them

impractical for operation on very large properties. Conversely, in intensive farming systems, there are potential

risks of having multiple UAVs in the air at the same time over several small properties. The value of UAVs may

be limited on smaller farms, if those farms can be as easily monitored from the ground.

While off-the-shelf UAVs are reducing in price, experts suggest currently only a small percentage of farmers

could afford commercial-sized UAVs that provide a productivity benefit to agriculture.

Ageing user groupAnother potential barrier to the adoption of robotic technology, as identified by the Parliamentary Inquiry into

agricultural innovation in 2015, was the average age of Australian farmers. The digital era is relatively new, and

many older Australians will not have grown up with the scale and scope of the technology available today.

Therefore, with an ageing agricultural workforce robotics may not be adopted as rapidly as in other industries.

9


Robots

Policy and regulation

Regulation of the use and operation of agricultural equipment is familiar to all Australian farmers, from road rules for moving heavy machinery to spray drift rules for pesticide application. However, regulating robotic technology is complex due to the absence of a human operator and the fact that robots are autonomously guided by computers.

Standards Australia has published safety requirements for the operation of industrial robots; and the International

Standards Organisation has developed some safety standards for robots — including those that work in personal

care. The United States has developed laws relating to robotic vehicles and most countries have rules relating to

the use of UAVs, including Australia. However as at 2016, regulations relating to agricultural robots were unclear

or non-existent and many countries were considering a number of implications, including liability and insurance,

cyber-security and data protection, as well as moral and ethical issues of autonomous machines.

While Australian farmers and agricultural service providers are keen to explore the potential of UAVs, concerns

have been raised about privacy and safety. In Australia, the use of UAVs is regulated by the Civil Aviation Safety

Authority (CASA). People seeking to use UAVs for commercial use need to apply for an operator’s licence

through CASA, however private operators do not need a licence. Farmers in intensive farming industries are

concerned that activist groups may be able to undertake surveillance activities above private property, and in

2016 this issue was being considered by regulators and the agricultural industry.

As at 2016, UAVs must not be flown beyond the line of sight, unaided except by prescription glasses, which

creates difficulties for commercial UAV operators seeking to provide services on large properties. This regulation

also negates the potential value of farmers using UAVs for remote and autonomous monitoring applications.

However, CASA will consider such flight requests on a case-by-case basis.

From 29 September 2016, CASA will allow farmers to fly UAVs weighing up to 25 kilograms over their property

without an unmanned aircraft operator’s certificate, provided it is for private, not commercial, purposes.

Commercial operators will also be able to use UAVs weighing less than two kilograms without a number of

regulatory approvals, but they will still need to notify CASA that they intend to use the UAV for commercial

flights, according to a set of standard operating conditions.





Aerial robots finding the good dirt on farms

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being promoted as a game changer in agriculture, providing real-time information about farm performance. However, a Tasmanian farmer says they are simply another tool in the tool box.

The issueWill Bignell and his family run a 2300 hectare farm

in central Tasmania producing wool, poppies, lamb,

venison and boutique vegetables. As a pilot, Will

has always understood the value of an aerial view.

“In the past I’ve taken the plane up to check for

flooding or crop variation but it was time consuming

and expensive; so I could see the value of a UAV

scouting for problems on our property.”

Tasmania’s poppy industry supplies half the world’s

medicinal opiates and the Bignells grow about

40 hectares as their main cash crop.

“When you turn on the irrigation to do the first

watering, the sprinklers may not have been used

for months and inevitably there will be a blockage

somewhere. A UAV will locate the problem faster

than I could in the truck.”

Will has also found the UAV useful for monitoring

his crops.

“Again, if you’re able to use the UAV as a scout you

can identify problem areas and download photos

to send to your agronomist for some quick advice.”

But it’s the quest for information at the heart of

Will’s interest in UAVs.

“Translating powerful data collected by drones to

guide on-ground actions to maximise productivity

and profitability is the ultimate goal.”

The technologyWill owns a company called DroneAg, one of

about 120 operators in Australia with approval of

the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to operate

unmanned aircraft for commercial purposes. Most

of his work is with the Tasmanian irrigation sector,

where he uses UAVs to collect data to improve

irrigation performance.

Despite the hype around UAVs, Will says it’s the data

that matters.

“For me, my interest isn’t in the drone itself — they are

just a flying platform for a sensor. It’s the sensors that

matter. If we don’t get the sensors right and don’t get

the science right, then the maps we produce don’t

mean anything.”

Will’s UAVs can map a single paddock, or an entire

farm, producing a three-dimensional map within a few

centimetres of accuracy.

“I can model a farm to determine the best layouts

based on slope, drainage and soil information. 3D

models are a great tool because they provide a

quicker assessment than going around your farm with

a survey stick.”

Will believes the next leap in technology will be

hyperspectral sensing, to create things like vector files

that will inform variable rate spreaders or tune variable

rate irrigation.

“Imaging can map and measure how well a crop is

doing. Using that information to input into variable-

rate irrigation and fertiliser will highlight stress points

not detectable to the naked eye. That is where the

savings will be made and the productivity increased.”To increase productivity,

farmers need to have detailed

knowledge of how their farm

is performing in real time.


Robots

11


Robots

Case study

Contact detailsWill Bignell

E: [email protected]

T: 0418 216 780

W: droneag.com.au


The benefitsWill says it is the top-performing farmers who are

reaping the benefits of UAVs.

“UAVs are not a silver bullet. Crop vigour mapping

will add value to those farmers who have already

squeezed every bit of efficiency out of their operation

and are now chasing that extra 10%.”

Will envisages a future where a dedicated drone pilot

will become another adviser used by farmers to

optimise crop production.

“No farmer I know has enough time to be religiously

mapping their properties. That said, having a fully-

charged UAV in the back of the ute will be useful for

scouting. But for precision agriculture, where high

quality sensors are providing high quality images for

interpretation, you’ll need a professional drone pilot.”

And that drone pilot should also understand

agriculture, because the benefits will come from

understanding and interpreting quality data that can

contribute to farm productivity.

“I’ve seen a lot of data compromised by the inclusion

of cloud shadow, or random vegetation that should

have been removed before an analysis was done.

You need to ensure your drone operator understands

the NDVI index and what it has actually measured.

We see a lot of data being passed off as true NDVI

when it isn’t.”

The futureWith CASA rules being relaxed in September 2016,

farmers will be able to operate their own UAVs (up to

25 kilograms) over their own farm without the need

for a remote pilot licence. It is expected that this will

increase the interest in agricultural applications.

For the data to have any value farmers must be in

a position to act.

“UAVs have great potential but farmers need to

ask themselves what information they need. What

problems are they solving and how will a UAV

contribute to solutions?

“If you just want a record of the year, then that’s fine.

But if you’re seeking to integrate UAVs into a precision

ag operation, you need to be in a position to take

remedial action. Otherwise, you’re simply cutting into

your profits by investing and running a UAV.”

UAVs potentially are reliable

and scalable vehicles

on which to mount sensors

to provide better information

on farm performance.

The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) invests in research and development to support rural industries to be productive, profitable and sustainable. RIRDC’s National Rural Issues program delivers independent, trusted and timely research to inform industry and government leaders who influence the operating environment of Australia’s rural industries. This research informs policy development and implementation, identifies future opportunities and risks, and covers multiple industries and locations.

Published by the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation, C/- Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga NSW 2678, August 2016

© Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation, 2016. This publication is copyright. No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968.

ISBN 978-1-74254-879-1

RIRDC publication no. 16/033

Please note This fact sheet has been developed through research of publicly available information and interviews with industry participants and experts. The content is for general information purposes only and should not be relied upon for investment decisions. Case studies were prepared from interviews conducted in 2016 and reflect the use of the technology at that time.

Processing

Farm operations

Natural resources

Consumers

Labour and skills

Logisitics

Inputs

More information � Robotic dairies

www.futuredairy.com.au

� University of Sydney’s Australian Centre

for Field Robotics

www.acfr.usyd.edu.au

� Australian Centre for Robotic Vision at QUT

roboticvision.org

� University of New England’s SMART Farm

www.une.edu.au/research/research-centres-

institutes/smart-farm

Series detailsThis fact sheet is one of a series on new and emerging

transformative technologies in Australian agriculture.

You may also be interested in reading about:

� Sensors

� Artificial intelligence

� Internet of things

EnquiriesE: [email protected]

W: www.rirdc.gov.au

The components of the food and fibre

supply chain that may be transformed by robots.

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