Module 7:
Precision Agriculture and Drone Technology
Unit 7.2.7:Durability and Design
Flexible solar panels are used to power the drones, reducing their reliance on non-renewable energy sources and enabling longer flight times and more extensive data collection.


The drones will be exposed to harsh environmental conditions while flying over agricultural fields. The drones should be able to withstand extreme weather conditions, including strong winds and rain.
The use of solar panels help reduce the weight of the drones by reducing the size of the battery needed.
How Will This Help Farmers On The Ground?
The Terra app will display a dashboard with various metrics such as soil moisture, nutrient levels, and pathogen presence. The data can be presented in an easy-to-understand format, such as graphs, charts, or maps, allowing farmers to quickly identify areas of concern and take action.
- Recommendations: Based on the data analysis, scientists can provide recommendations to farmers on appropriate actions to take to prevent the spread of diseases and promote healthy soil. These recommendations are generated automatically using artificial intelligence algorithms, which can take into account factors such as the type of crop, soil type, and weather conditions. In addition, data visualization techniques can be used to present the recommendations in a clear and concise manner.
- Monitoring: The drones can be used to monitor crop growth and health, allowing farmers to optimize their yields while reducing the risk of soil-borne illnesses. The drones would be equipped with high-resolution cameras and spectral sensors, which would allow them to capture detailed images of the crops. Advanced image processing techniques can be used to analyze the images and identify any issues, such as nutrient deficiencies or pest infestations. In addition, real-time monitoring can be used to provide early warning of any issues, allowing farmers to take action before the crops are severely impacted.
For example, if the data indicates that there is a high level of a particular pathogen in a certain area of the field, the farmer may decide to apply a targeted treatment, such as soil sterilization or biocontrol agents. Similarly, if the data shows that there is a low level of nutrients in a certain area, the farmer may decide to adjust their fertilizer application practices to promote healthy soil.
In addition, the app or platform may provide recommendations generated by artificial intelligence algorithms based on the data analysis. These recommendations may include specific actions that the farmer can take to promote healthy soil and prevent the spread of diseases.
The farmers can also use the data to optimize their yields by monitoring crop growth and health.
For example, the app provides insights on when to irrigate or fertilize the crops to ensure they are receiving the necessary nutrients and moisture. The farmers can also monitor the crops for any issues, such as nutrient deficiencies or pest infestations, allowing them to take action before the crops are severely impacted.