Biocraft-sardrones: the flight dispenser

Abstract

The BIOCRAFT-SARDRONES Project aims to develop a "Flying Dispenser" specializing in the distribution of biological agents, mainly Cotesia and Trichogramma / Telenomus in sugarcane, soybean, citrus, forest and horticultural crops.Unlike other current equipment, the great innovation of the BIOCRAFT-SARDRONES Project is the development of the unmanned aerial vehicle in the dispenser structure itself, transforming it into a "Flying Agricultural Implement", optimizing and customizing field operation to the peculiarities of Brazilian agriculture.The aim is to achieve mechanical and aerodynamic optimization of the flying vehicle by improving the efficiency of the powertrain, reducing weight, improving shape and reducing aerodynamic drag.The BIOCRAFT-SARDRONES Project is part of a strategic project of the company Sardrones, divided into 4 phases, where the first is in the final stage of development and the second, as a result of this request for support to the PIPE program, is a mandatory condition to achieve the objectives of the project. other phases.This phasing has the main objective of allowing the development of critical and integration technologies for the most advanced projects intended, such as the flying dispenser integrated with artificial intelligence software (i-Biocraft), the rotor pitch control drone (Biocraft- T), the hybrid-powered drone (Biocraft-Endurance) and the high-payload sprayer (Biocraft Spray).In parallel and in support of the main project, existing dispensers as well as mission planning and control software will be developed and enhanced. In addition, as a way of commercially optimizing the equipment, special sensors will be integrated into the drone, such as RGB cameras, multispectral and infrared (FLIR) sensors, as well as a laser radar (LIDAR).The BIOCRAFT-SARDRONES Project is innovative in its disruptive technologies, is bold in its intended technological ambitions, is realistic because it is based on thorough market research and is totally viable, as the team of researchers involved has extensive academic and operational experience and has just complete a complete phase of development and testing, achieving great technical maturity. (AU)