Tractors are the agricultural sprayers par excellence, but now they have competition: cheap drones

It is difficult to imagine modern agriculture without tractors, but more and more rural tasks can be carried out with solutions that promise to be more versatile and economical. In the middle of last year we met Solix, a solar robot designed to spread herbicides and carefully monitor crops.

Now we bring you another example of how the technology surrounding the agricultural sector is constantly evolving. An American company called Hylio has an interesting proposal: use autonomous drones instead of sprayer tractors. It is an alternative that, they say, has many advantages.

Drones instead of tractors to spread herbicides and fertilizers

Today, farmers have a wide range of spray solutions at their disposal. They consist, in general terms, of adding to the tractors sections with deposits for phytosanitary products and spray bars with adaptable nozzles and programmable opening.

According to Arthur Erickson, one of the founders of Hylio, traditional spray systems can cost up to half a million dollars. The drones they manufacture in Houston, United States, cost “a fifth” of that, and have advantages such as reduced operating costs and access to complex terrain.

Drones also do not need to have the permanent attention of a person when spraying. The manufacturer says that the user must simply indicate on a map with GPS references where the drone should spread the products. Then the drone does its job completely autonomously.

The drone model AG-272 It incorporates a series of features that seek to take the aforementioned to the next level. On the one hand, the vehicle has digital flow meters that allow precise amounts of product to be applied. And, once they run out of product, they return to the refueling point and continue their work where they left off.

A single station can handle up to four AG-272 drones. Each of them includes a algorithm system which calculates the best route to meet the objectives outlined on the map. Additionally, they are designed to avoid obstacles in real time and have redundant power and navigation systems.

Although Hylio is based in the United States, the agricultural drone business was born in Costa Rica, where its founders had just failed in their attempt to offer an aerial delivery system profitably. Hylio expanded to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. They also currently sell their drones in their country of origin.

Images | John Deere | Hylio

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