Future Farming has unveiled its 2024/2025 Ag-drone buying guide, showcasing an impressive array of new application drones that highlight the rapid evolution of agricultural technology. These drones are not only larger and more capable but also tailored to meet diverse market needs, offering increased payloads, extended flight times, and varied functionalities.
The guide features a wide range of pricing options, from the budget-friendly Garuda Kisan Agri Drone V. 2 at $6,500 to the high-end Agrobee 200 priced at a staggering $300,000. Each model brings unique specifications to the table, designed to enhance efficiency in tasks such as spraying and seeding.
Among the new entries, the VTol Agrobee 200 stands out as a remarkable innovation. This drone boasts an outstanding payload capacity, capable of carrying up to 200 kg of pesticides and flying for up to 1 hour and 20 minutes. Its high performance is driven by a small flex engine that can be fueled with ethanol, diesel, or gasoline, which in turn powers a battery for extended flight times. The VTol design allows for vertical takeoff and landing, as well as low-speed flight, providing exceptional flexibility in agricultural operations. The Agrobee 200 is already available for order, with the company claiming it can cover an impressive 380 hectares per day.
Chinese drone manufacturer DJI, which holds over 70 percent of the global market share, has also made significant contributions to the guide with two new models: the DJI AGRAS T25 and T50. The AGRAS T25 is a compact and nimble drone that can be easily handled by one person. It supports multiple missions, including surveying, spraying, and spreading, and can carry a spraying payload of up to 20 kg or a spreading payload of up to 25 kg. Equipped with front and rear phased array radars, a binocular vision system, and a high-resolution FPV gimbal camera, the T25 excels across various terrains.
The DJI AGRAS T50, on the other hand, features a powerful coaxial twin-rotor propulsion system and a split-type torque resistant structure, ensuring excellent stability. It can handle a 40 kg spraying payload or a 50 kg spreading payload. The T50’s dual atomizing spraying system provides an ultra-large flow rate of up to 16 liters per minute, producing uniform and fine spray droplets without leakage. For operations requiring a high application volume, the T50 can be equipped with additional centrifugal sprinklers, increasing the flow rate to 24 liters per minute.
Another noteworthy addition is the Spider-i H200, which features a substantial 92-liter tank capacity, making it one of the largest agricultural spraying drones available. With a standard payload of 100 kg, it supports extended operations over large areas, reducing the need for frequent refills. The Spider-i H200 is equipped with four centrifugal spray heads and enhanced filtration systems, delivering a high flow rate of 24 liters per minute while mitigating clogging issues.
The Hongfei HF T72 is another high-capacity drone, capable of spraying 28 to 30 hectares per hour. It features smart batteries that charge quickly and an effective spray width of more than 15 meters. The drone’s arm can be folded at 90 degrees for easy transportation.
For those seeking a more compact solution, the Garuda Kisan Agri Drone V. 2 offers a range of sensors, cameras, and technologies to assist in precision farming. It can precisely apply fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides, making it a valuable tool for crop management. Garuda Aerospace, the company behind this drone, operates as a drone-as-a-service provider, catering to the growing drone needs of India.
The BRO U60 is another innovative agricultural drone, featuring an integrated design that enhances spraying crops and seedlings. It offers precise control for autonomous or semi-autonomous flights and is resistant to wind, rain, and dust. With a payload capacity of 55 liters for spraying and 80 liters for spreading, the BRO U60 is both stable and reliable.
The EAVison J100, suitable for both spraying and spreading, boasts a payload capacity of 45 liters (60 liters optional) and can cover up to 45 acres per hour. Its onboard chipset allows for real-time creation of three-dimensional maps of the operational environment, showcasing the rapid advancements in agricultural drone technology.
These innovations underscore the increasing role of drones in modern agriculture, catering to a wide spectrum of farming needs from precision application to large-scale operations. As these technologies continue to evolve, they promise to significantly enhance efficiency and productivity in the agricultural sector.