Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or Drones)

Postflight Data Processing Instructions on the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for Agricultural Applications

Sri Charan Kakarla and Yiannis Ampatzidis

Applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems in Agricultural Operation Management: Part III: Best Practices for Efficient Aerial Surveying

Aditya Singh and James Fletcher

Preflight and Flight Instructions on the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for Agricultural Applications

Sri Charan Kakarla, Leon De Morais Nunes, and Yiannis Ampatzidis

Applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems in Agricultural Operation Management: Part I: Overview

James Fletcher and Aditya Singh

Instructions on the Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Sri Charan Kakarla and Yiannis Ampatzidis

Applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems in Agricultural Operation Management: Part II: Platforms and Payloads

Aditya Singh and James Fletcher

Mission Planner: An Open-Source Alternative to Commercial Flight Planning Software for Unmanned Aerial Systems

Jesse Chintanadilok, Sahaj Patel, Yilin Zhuang, and Aditya Singh

All UASs need periodic maintenance and repair. These changes have raised questions among Extension agents regarding which UASs to purchase and use, and how these changes affect their operations going forward. Free and open-source (FOSS) options may be a very useful alternative to commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) UASs. Written by Jesse Chintanadilok, Sahaj Patel, Yilin Zhuang, and Aditya Singh, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, August 2022.

WebODM: An Open-Source Alternative to Commercial Image Stitching Software for Uncrewed Aerial Systems

Sahaj Patel, Jesse Chintanadilok, Brittany Hall-Scharf, Yilin Zhuang, Joseph Strickland, and Aditya Singh

This publication aims to help UAS operators become familiar with advanced data processing tools integrated into the WebODM FOSS. The central aim of this publication is to underscore the process and sequence involved in producing data and outcomes by acquainting users with the fundamental features of WebODM. Written by Sahaj Patel, Jesse Chintanadilok, Brittany Hall-Scharf, Yilin Zhuang, Joseph Strickland, and Aditya Singh, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, February 2024.

Drone Injuries and Safety Recommendations

Serap Gorucu and Yiannis Ampatzidis

This publication presents drone-related injury statistics and safety recommendations to prevent drone-related injuries. Written by Serap Gorucu and Yiannis Ampatzidis, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, June 2021.

Types of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Sensing Technologies, and Software for Agricultural Applications

Sri Charan Kakarla and Yiannis Ampatzidis

This publication provides detailed information about the most used UAVs, sensing technologies, and software for agricultural applications. Written by Sri Charan Kakarla and Yiannis Ampatzidis, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, October 2021.

Southern scientists use artificial intelligence to reduce costs, labor on farms

Brad Buck

Scientists throughout the South are using artificial intelligence (AI) to help growers save labor costs and time, spray with precision, detect diseases, control food quality, maintain animal health and help grow wheat.   University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences invention assesses plant stress from ground, air  Among the University of Florida Institute of […]

Fire from the Sky

Brittany Hall-Scharf

The University of Florida recently hosted an intensive 4-day drone course for the Florida Forest Service, providing foresters with the essential aviation knowledge and hands-on drone operation skills. This initiative is revolutionizing how the Florida Forest Service approaches its forest management, particularly with the new legislation permitting the use of American-made drones. Extension Agents Brittany […]

UF ag engineer to assess crop damage after tropical storms, hurricanes, using AI

Brad Buck

University of Florida scientists will use artificial intelligence technology to quantify damage to fruits and vegetables caused by extreme weather events, such as Hurricane Ian. When Ian struck on Sept. 28, it brought winds up to 155 mph and caused as much as $1.56 billion in damage to crops, livestock and aquaculture products in its […]