Rafal Perz, Kacper Wronowski, Roman Domanski and Igor Dąbrowski
Observation of the animal world is an important component of nature surveys. It provides a number of different information concerning aspects such as population sizes, migration…
Abstract
Purpose
Observation of the animal world is an important component of nature surveys. It provides a number of different information concerning aspects such as population sizes, migration directions, feeding sites and many other data. The paper below presents the results from the flights of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) aimed at detecting animals in their natural environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The drone used in the research was equipped with RGB and thermal infrared (TIR) cameras. Both cameras, which were mounted on the UAV, were used to take pictures showing the concentration of animals (deer). The overview flights were carried out in the villages of Podlaskie Voivodeship: Szerokie Laki, Bialousy and Sloja. Research flights were made in Bialousy and Sloja. A concentration of deer was photographed during research flights in Sloja. A Durango unmanned platform, equipped with a thermal imaging camera and a Canon RGB camera, was used for research flights. The pictures taken during the flights were used to create orthomaps. A multicopter, equipped with a GoPro camera, was used for overview flights to film the flight locations. A flight control station was also used, consisting of a laptop with MissionPlanner software.
Findings
Analysis of the collected images has indicated that environmental, organisational and technical factors influence the quality of the information. Sophisticated observation precision is ensured by the use of high-resolution RGB and TIR cameras. A proper platform for the cameras is an UAV provided with advanced positioning systems, which makes it possible to create high-quality orthomaps of the area. When observing animals, the time of day (temperature contrast), year season (leaf ascent) or flight parameters is important.
Originality/value
The paper introduces the conclusions of the research flights, pointing out useful information for animal observation using UAVs.
Details
Keywords
Rafal Perz and Kacper Wronowski
The purpose of this study is to show the potentials of a cost-effective unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) system for agriculture industry. The current population growth rate is so…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to show the potentials of a cost-effective unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) system for agriculture industry. The current population growth rate is so vast that farming industry must be highly efficient and optimized. As a response for high quality food demands, the new branch of the agriculture industry has been formed – the precision agriculture. It supports farming process with sensors, automation and innovative technologies. The UAV advantages over regular aviation are withering. Not only they can fly at lower altitude and are more precise but also offer same high quality and are much cheaper.
Design/methodology/approach
The main objective of this project was to implement an exemplary cost-effective UAV system with electronic camera stabilizer for gaining useful data for agriculture. The system was based on small, unmanned flying wing able to perform fully autonomous missions, a commercially available camera and an own-design camera stabilizer. The research plan was to integrate the platform and run numerous experimental flights over farms, fields and woods collecting aerial pictures. All the missions have been planned to serve for local farming and forest industries and cooperated with local business authorities.
Findings
In preliminary flight tests, the variety of geodetic, forest and agriculture data have been acquired, placed for post processing and applied for the farming processes. The results of the research were high quality orthophoto maps, 3D maps, digital surface models and images mosaics with normalized difference vegetation index. The end users were astonished with the high-quality results and claimed the high importance for their business.
Originality/value
The case study results proved that this kind of a small UAV system is exceptional to manage and optimize processes at innovative farms. So far only professional, high-cost UAV platforms or traditional airships have been applied for agriculture industry. This paper shows that even simple, commercially available equipment could be used for professional applications.