Ever since the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lifted the ban on drones for crop scouting and began issuing permits, it’s been a hot topic in the world of agriculture.
The FAA does have to finalize some rules and standards for agricultural drone use, but drones are already poised to change the way farmers run their farms and operate their businesses. Uses currently range from assessing crop yields to locating and herding animals.
If a machine that can allow you to scan your entire farm in mere minutes isn’t enough of an innovation, DroneDeploy’s technology takes things to a whole new level, offering greater functionality and ease of operation.
For farmers, one of the biggest challenges—besides the cost of the drone—is the time it takes to learn how to fly an expensive piece of equipment. Early users of this technology are often forced to hire drone pilots, and that cost can add up.
DroneDeploy eliminates that hassle because it autonomously pilots the drone, so even inexperienced users can launch with confidence. You merely need to know how to operate your iOS or Android device or laptop. Your drone will be off and flying without the need for ground equipment or other requirements.
Another common drawback for drone users is the time—and often additional equipment—it takes to synthesize all the data your drone collects. And some users don’t really know what to do with the information once their drones capture it.
DroneDeploy’s cloud platform processes all that data and delivers it to you in real-time. In fact, you can receive normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) maps while your drone is still in flight. The software can capture the imagery, crunch the data and deliver it to you in an accessible format in a few minutes, allowing you to act quickly. DroneDeploy syncs orthomosaic, NDVI, digital elevation model, and 3D model data to the cloud where you can assess it and easily share it with other stakeholders.
The software is currently compatible with the Phantom 2 Vision+, Stratos Aerial and AgEagle drones, and is adding more to the list. Packages range from $99 to $799 per month depending on your needs, but you can try it for free for up to 30 days.
The many uses of drones for business—especially farming—are compelling. If you are considering purchasing a drone, or already have one, a product like DroneDeploy will allow you to maximize those benefits.