A broader look at drone technology

<p>DJI has substantial market share for aerial vehicles. The new Mavic 2 Enterprise can be outfitted with tech farmers will enjoy — forward-looking infrared, or FLIR — in the Mavic 2 Dual sensor. In addition to the visual sensor, the FLIR sensor captures moisture content, which shows up as temperature. It’s a new tool for capturing real-time stress information from every field. Learn more at <a href="http://www.dji.com" target="_blank">dji.com</a>.</p>

<p>DJI also rolled out the new DJI Smart Controller, which is compatible with the Mavic 2 Zoom and Mavic 2 Pro. Rather than using your phone as the visual image, this controller incorporates a 5.5-inch, high-resolution screen that the company claims is twice as bright as your phone screen (for better daylight viewing). The controller can share images and video captured using the DJI GO 4 app’s Go Share function. Learn more at <a href="http://www.dji.com" target="_blank">dji.com</a>.</p>

<p>Two thumbs guiding an aerial vehicle has been the standard, but does it have to be? That’s the question the developers at Fluidity Tech asked. A former astronaut who is now a doctor looked at the two-thumb controller and the “sometime flyer,” and has come up with a one-handed controller. It’s a more intuitive interface (your nondominant hand manages the camera from a control at the bottom). This controller works with DJI drone models, and the company hopes to expand the range as it enters the market. For a novice flyer, or one who may be experienced but doesn’t fly often, this new control approach offers promise. When Farm Progress tried it out, the user’s first thought was, “Now I can get a drone.” Learn more at <a href="http://www.fluidity.tech" target="_blank">fluidity.tech</a>.</p>

<p>CES is filled with hopeful manufacturers who have yet to enter the U.S. market. Sinochip makes a wide range of products and had this big “application drone” on display. The DF-T5 is one of two models of agricultural drones. This is the larger model, with a max takeoff weight of 48 kg. — or nearly 100 pounds. It would offer a 10- to 15-minute application time on a charge. Learn more at <a href="http://www.sinochip.en.alibaba.com" target="_blank">sinochip.en.alibaba.com</a>.</p>

<p>AEE is a drone and camera maker that’s aiming to expand in the market. This new vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) machine was introduced at CES. It offers the range of a fixed-wing with the ability to capture imagery for longer operation times. More details about this new airship will be online soon; learn more at <a href="http://www.aee.com" target="_blank">aee.com</a>.</p>

<p>The new Mach 4 from AEE comes with a 4K high-rez camera and a max load of 2.2 pounds (1 kg). The carbon-fiber, four-rotor machine folds up for transport. The machine offers a maximum flying time of 40 minutes, and it links to a new automated flight function-ground station mapping system. The machine can be run manually, with GPS control or in an autoflight mode. The company currently offers two visual cameras; other sensor options may be explored. This new machine should be on the company website soon. Learn more at <a href="http://www.aee.com" target="_blank">aee.com</a>.</p>

<p>This new controller from Autel Robotics has a large touch-screen interface that allows the user to plot the flight plan of an airship. And you can set multiple plans — if one field needs a different set of passes in the same flight, the system can handle that. The large screen also provides the user a solid view of what the machine is seeing. Autel is committed to customer service, with all phone support people certified under Part 107 with the Federal Aviation Administration. Learn more at <a href="http://www.autelrobotics.com" target="_blank">autelrobotics.com</a>.</p>

<p>Autel Robotics launched the Kestrel a few years ago. It’s upping the game with this new vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) machine that premiered at CES. The beauty of a fixed-wing machine is range and the potential for eventual beyond-line-of-site operation (which the FAA is still working on). This machine will take off vertically, and it can also hover and fly as a fixed-wing airship. It can be controlled by the new controller (see previous slide). Learn more at <a href="http://www.autelrobotics.com" target="_blank">autelrobotics.com</a>.</p>

<p>The Evo from Autel Robotics has a 4K visual camera and can take high-resolution still images, too. The company also has an app, available for iOS and Android, that allows an HD live view during flight. The system uses Dual GPS/GLONASS satellite positioning and advanced computer vision to help avoid obstacles during flight. The controller has a 4.3-mile range. Visit <a href="http://www.autelrobotics.com" target="_blank">autelrobotics.com</a>.</p>

<p>The holy grail of drone use is airtime. Batteries only last so long. This machine, geared toward video users, weighs in at 8.8 pounds and offers nearly 30 minutes of flight time. The machine has thermal and vision cameras (and you can switch between the two during flight), and there are first-person and main-camera views. Learn more at <a href="http://www.powervision.me" target="_blank">powervision.me</a>.</p>

<p>This drone is a model. In fact, the full-size version would have 16 blades and offer significant payload potential for transport or application. Rising interest in delivery drones has manufacturers around the world looking at new airship designs. To the right is a small representation of the full-size machine. The machine can carry a 60-pound payload and operate for 45 minutes.</p>

<p>This drone is a model. In fact, the full-size version would have 16 blades and offer significant payload potential for transport or application. Rising interest in delivery drones has manufacturers around the world looking at new airship designs. To the right is a small representation of the full-size machine. The machine can carry a 60-pound payload and operate for 45 minutes.</p>

<p>This is a drone. One activity people like is taking selfies, and the folks at AEE want to take advantage of that. This is the SelFly, which actually becomes a phone case when not in use and is shown here as a case. The patent-pending design folds into a 10 mm thin pocket dock, but the small drone that comes from this case (see next slide) offers a range of control features. Learn more at <a href="http://www.aee.com" target="_blank">aee.com</a>.</p>

<p>The SelFly, out of the case, is a compact drone that offers different control options. It can use face tracking to keep you in the frame for the perfect selfie, and it even offers gesture control. You run it from your smartphone (most likely the one that you have in the case with the drone). Visit <a href="http://www.aee.com" target="_blank">aee.com</a>.</p>

<p>This drone is actually an experimental aircraft from ElectraFly, a startup company. The machine uses the hover-copter design for liftoff and flight, but under the pilot is a jet turbine — not only for takeoff, but also for flight. This machine offers drone stability in flight. Not sure where this product may end up, but some farmers might like the idea of this tool for scouting. Visit <a href="http://www.electrafly.co" target="_blank">electrafly.co</a>.</p>

<p>This machine, decked out in the livery of the Dubai Police Department, is another take on drone flight. It offers the potential of operation as a flying motorcycle. These machines, built by Hoversurf, are being put to work by the police department in this United Arab Emirates city. They offer a 40-minute flight time. Visit <a href="http://www.hoversurf.com" target="_blank">hoversurf.com</a>.</p>