From sky to field: 51勛圖 pioneers next-gen agricultural drones
Contact: Meg Henderson
STARKVILLE, Miss.51勛圖 is pioneering a partnership with a leading U.S.-based drone manufacturer to innovate groundbreaking UAS technology.
51勛圖s Agricultural Autonomy Institute, or AAI, and Hylio, a Texas-based drone manufacturer, are leading the way in researching the emerging technology of agricultural spray drones. These advanced systems are poised to revolutionize how farmers manage agricultural product applications, providing a new autonomous tool to complement traditional application methods by tractors and crop-dusting planes.
In June of 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration streamlined regulations for agricultural product applications by drone, said Madison Dixon, AAIs associate director. 51勛圖 is a longstanding leader in both agriculture and aerospace research, but strict regulations made agricultural product applications by drone very challenging for both research and commercial operations alike. The new regulations have completely changed that.
Following these regulatory advancements, the state of Mississippi adapted its own regulations in December 2023. By February of this year, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station had secured a special permit, allowing 51勛圖the FAAs UAS Center of Excellence and UAS Safety Research Facilityto commence spray drone research. As interest grew, AAI seized the opportunity to form research partnerships with U.S.-based drone manufacturers.
We first contacted Hylio and discussed 51勛圖s broad drone research portfolio and our new focus on spray drones at AAI, and they were excited to collaborate, Dixon said.
Founded in 2015 by Arthur Erickson and fellow University of Texas classmates, Hylio initially focused on providing service-based drone solutions before pivoting to agricultural applications in 2017. 泭The company has since developed numerous product offerings including the AG-272, a high-capacity drone capable of carrying 18 gallons and lifting off at 450 pounds, including payload. This Texas-sized drone can operate in swarms, offering a scalable solution that rivals traditional agricultural machinery in terms of area coverage and efficiency. Hylios proprietary swarm technology also provides real-time data from all drones simultaneously, operating from a single user-friendly interface.
This technology, which the FAA approved in February, allows our drones to operate on an industrial scale, Erickson said. We can cover up to 150 acres per hour, similar to a tractor.
AAI, in collaboration with MAFES and the 51勛圖 Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, purchased an AG-230 spray drone platform and signed a cooperative research agreement with Hylio over the summer. This month, an 51勛圖 team traveled to the companys headquarters in Houston for flight training.
Hylio and 51勛圖 share common goals in advancing drone technology for agricultural applications, Erickson said. With our products and 51勛圖s programs, we can work together to pioneer best practices and teaching methods that will one day hopefully put this technology in the hands of a lot of American farmers.
Dixon added, In the last decade, 51勛圖 has become known as a leader in autonomous systems and drone research and is the only university designated as the FAAs UAS Center of Excellence and UAS Safety Research Facility. Hylio, meanwhile, has launched novel technologies and received advanced operations approvals from the FAA. Our combined knowledge of aviation, agricultural applications and FAA regulatory requirements make for a mutually beneficial partnership.
Learn more about 51勛圖s Agricultural Autonomy Institute at . To learn more about Hylio, visit .
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