French firm launches drone service to monitor crops

Parrot is already a key player selling its popular Bebop and Disco models to the public.

The Parrot Disco has been upgraded for its professional role to accommodate a Parrot Sequoia multi-spectral sensor. Photo: Parrot

However, the French company is expanding its offering, having acquired interests in a number of related-technology companies, including fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) maker Airinov and software specialists MicaSense, Pix4D and senseFly.

See also: Drone upgrade improves crop image accuracy in cloudy conditions

It is now combining products from these companies to create a crop-scouting package based on the Parrot Disco “flying wing” customised for professional use.

Miniaturised Sequoia sensor captures images of crops at 14.3cm per pixel resolution. Photo: Parrot

Parrot Disco-Pro ag package

The Parrot Disco-Pro ag package includes the company’s Sequoia compact multispectral sensor and Skycontroller2 long-range remote control; the flightplan app Pix4Dcapture; and access to the Airinov First+ online platform for image processing into usable maps.

A reinforced fuselage enables the pusher-propeller, fixed-wing Disco-Pro Ag drone to accommodate the Sequoia sensor, which captures images of crops at 14.3cm per pixel resolution in both visible and invisible spectra, including near infrared.

Discover Parrot Disco-Pro AG, the end-to-end multipurpose and easy to use solution for farmers and small cooperatives. pic.twitter.com/r4fWQdpGCL

— Parrot (@Parrot) 10 May 2017

Sunshine sensor records light conditions

There is also a 16MP camera and a luminosity or ‘sunshine’ sensor that records light conditions to automatically calibrate collected data, which is stored on a 64GB memory chip.

Scouting flights can be pre-planned using the Pix4Dcapture app for iOS and Android smart phones and tablets. Photo: Parrot

Preplanned scouting route

Users can fly the drone on a preplanned scouting route covering up to 80ha in about 30 minutes or under manual control using Skyscanner2 Wi-Fi remote control with 2km range.

Automatic anti-stall is included in the drone’s on-board control system, which is activated when the craft is thrown into the air, and a 14MP nose camera can be used to capture video footage.