Category Archives: Non-Military & Commercial UAS

University of New Hampshire Researchers Develop UAS for Orchard Management

UNHA University of New Hampshire plant pathologist and his doctoral student are using a remote-controlled helicopter to help apple farmers in the Northeast battle the persistent scourge of apple scab.

Kirk Broders, assistant professor of plant pathology, and Ph.D. student Matt Wallhead are working to bring precision agriculture to orchard management in the Northeast by developing a low-cost unmanned aircraft system. With a camera loaded with GPS and infrared technology, the UAS can “see” pests, nutrient stress, or early infections caused by the apple scab fungus. Continue reading →

Dehogaflier UAS Battles Feral Hogs

Taking a cue from America’s use of UAS to fight terrorists, the war on feral hogs has gone high tech and high altitude. Two friends in Lafayette, La. modified a remote control aircraft for their frequent hunts for the destructive wild pigs. It’s more military op than hunting trip. “It’s not hunting,” said James Palmer.  “It’s extermination.”

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US Venture Capitalists Invested $40M in UAS Start-Ups in 9 Months

Tim DraperVenture capitalists like Tim Draper are placing their bets on the commercial applications of UAS. Draper, an early investor in Hotmail, Skype and Baidu, is now backing DroneDeploy, a start-up that is building software to direct unmanned aircraft on land mapping and the surveillance of agricultural fields.

“UAS hold the promise of companies anticipating our every need and delivering without human involvement,” Draper, 55, wrote in an e-mail. “Everything from pizza delivery to personal shopping can be handled by UAS.” Continue reading →