The rapid expansion of drone use in agriculture is transforming the way farmers approach crop protection and management. This was the central theme of the recent AgriBusiness Global LIVE! Drone Update webinar, where industry experts delved into the future of drone technology and the emerging opportunities in this burgeoning sector. The webinar attracted 562 registered attendees, who posed several insightful questions to the panelists. Among them were Rene Haensel, Technical Director Agriculture & Global Senior Expert for Evonik, and Arthur Erickson, CEO/Co-Founder of Hylio, who provided valuable insights into the current challenges and innovations in drone spraying technology.
One of the key concerns raised was the issue of drift and the potential solutions for mitigating it. Rene Haensel addressed the question of whether nano or high-performance liquids could offer a solution. He noted that in Europe, there is a growing concern about the use of nanotechnology in adjuvants, which could become a critical issue for drones in the future. Instead, he advocated for the use of high-performance liquids that exhibit multifunctional properties. Haensel highlighted polyether-trisiloxane technology, which has a low surface tension and excellent adhesion and retention properties. This technology can be blended with substances that provide drift control, such as oils, polymers, or sophisticated insoluble droplets with very low surface tension.
Arthur Erickson tackled the question of whether drone propellers contribute to drift. Contrary to popular belief, Erickson explained that drone propellers actually mitigate drift. The downwash created by the propellers drives the majority of the particles downward into the target crop, reducing the likelihood of drift caused by ambient wind conditions or temperature inversions. While the vortices created by the propeller wingtips can cause some temporary upward movement of particles, the overall behavior of the spray remains downward.
Another topic of discussion was the role of pulse width modulation (PWM) in drift control. Erickson clarified that while PWM is useful for producing droplets of a consistent size, there are other factors that have a more significant impact on drift behavior. These include the drone’s speed and altitude, as well as the spatial placement of the nozzles in relation to the rotors. Erickson emphasized that PWM is primarily used to maintain consistent pressure and flow rate, which corresponds to a desired droplet size. However, the overall effect on drift control is relatively minor compared to other factors.
The insights shared by Haensel and Erickson underscore the complexity of drone spraying technology and the need for a multifaceted approach to address the challenges of drift and efficacy. As the agricultural drone market continues to expand, it is clear that innovation and collaboration will be key to unlocking the full potential of this transformative technology. The AgriBusiness Global LIVE! Drone Update webinar provided a valuable platform for industry experts and stakeholders to exchange ideas and explore the future of drone technology in agriculture.