Farm Drones

An autonomous network of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could help farmers more effectively monitor their cattle herds. Although the system is still in the development stage, the hope is that it will reduce the more than 2.5 million cattle deaths that occur every year from health issues by detecting the signs of disease earlier.

The first step is to create a 3D image database of each animal in the herd. This is done in a pen, equipped with 40 or more cameras, to capture 360-degree images that will eventually feed into a “facial recognition” software system. Each cow is also fitted with a heart rate monitoring strap similar to those used by human athletes.

Out in the field, the UAVs will work in teams of four to triangulate the location of a specific animal. A machine learning system will then be programmed to autonomously measure weight, size, physical activity, and other vital information.

Before being fully deployed, the researchers must assess what effect, if any, the drones will have on the cattle themselves, both behaviorally and physiologically. Changes in heart rate will provide a measure of how stressful the process might be and how close the drones can maneuver without adverse effects.

The project is funded by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture and is slated to continue through February 2021.