AI-driven Internet of Drones for targeted weed management: CQU research project
A CQUniversity research project using AI-driven drones to target weeds in broadacre crops has secured an Australian Government innovation grant. The industry-partnered project, led by CQU’s drone and internet of things specialists, is one of just 12 projects to share in $18 million in funding in the new Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships (EATP) program. Over two years, the national CQU research team will use light-weight drones to snap millions of ultra-high resolution images of Central Queensland crops, then use artificial intelligence to recognise and record the presence of pest vegetation.
Transcript
Since the earliest days of agriculture… farmers have waged war on weeds.
Now, a high-tech research project is taking the battle to the skies… thanks to a national team of CQUniversity experts.
For the collaborative project with industry, CQU researchers are using light-weight drones to snap millions of ultra-high resolution images of regional Queensland crops.
Image processing techniques along with artificial intelligence is being used to reveal the presence of any pest vegetation.
Locations of detected weeds will then be communicated to a second system of drones.
The Internet of Drones system is based on Internet of Things technology and integrated with a robust mechatronics system.
That means the swarm of spraying drones can identify and target problem areas for weeds, with herbicide direct hits.
The two-year project is supported by nearly half a million dollars funding from the Australian Government.
The Minister for Infrastructure announced the grant in November 2022 , as part of the Emerging Aviation Technology Partnerships Program… and CQUniversity’s project was one of just three successful projects from an Australian university.
Project lead is Dr Jahan Hassan, with multiple research themes:
- AI and Image processing, led by Dr Nahina Islam;
- Internet of Things and Internet of Drones, led by Dr Biplob Ray,
- Design and fabrication of mechatronics system, led by Dr Abdul Mazid, and Agriculture, led by A/Prof. Nanjappa Ashwath.
CQUniversity is a world leader in agricultural technology research,
With this high-tech mix of partners, tools and expertise the innovative project is driving a more efficient and sustainable future for agriculture.