Augmented Reality and Precision Agriculture

Going Mainstream

Augmented Reality (AR) enhances what we see by integrating computer generated graphics into the real world. Last week, Apple announced that the new iOS 11 will allow customers to experience augmented reality. I am sure a lot of people didn’t know what augmented reality is prior to Apples announcement last week, but that’s all about to change. According to CNBC, Robert Scoble a prominent tech evangelist stated that “Apple and Google will play a significant role in taking the technology mainstream”. As developers continue to learn more about augmented reality, the technology will become more advanced and transform our lives.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Augmented Reality

Not only is AR getting traction in the video game industry but it is slowly becoming popular within the drone industry. UAVs are now using augmented reality for gaming. Edgybees is an augmented reality drone racing game and Air Hog’s Connect Mission Drone is a game that allows its players to fly search and rescue missions.

In the commercial side of the industry, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are extremely beneficial. Not only are UAVs with augmented reality capabilities being used for gaming, but they are also being used for firefighting missions and disaster response. According to Commercial UAV NEWS, “drones from Boeing subsidiary Insitu and the Microsoft HoloLens are being used to make fighting forest fires a lot safer for firefighters”. Operators use the holographic tactical map to send resources where they are immediately required. In disaster response drones equipped with SmartCam3D can positively contribute to disaster relief. As per suasnews.com SmartCam3D uses “augmented reality overlays to live or recorded video, making it useful before, during and after a natural disaster”.

Precision Agriculture and Augmented Reality

As time passes AR will become more sophisticated and people in the drone industry will have access to cutting edge technology. I would like to see augmented reality being used in precision agriculture. UAVs in agriculture are used for mapping, surveying, and spraying. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles allow farmers to monitor their crops from a bird’s eye view. Ground level inspections are not efficient and they give a farmer limited visual information. Farmers can find problem areas easier and quicker with a UAV. The data collection process is easy and efficient as well. Once an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle captures images of a farm using a multispectral sensor, the images get uploaded into the cloud and afterwards processed. After that, the farmer will get an image like the image above. From looking at the image the farmer will be able to determine the problem areas. Unfortunately, the image won’t specifically tell the farmer what the problem is, because of this the farmer has no choice but to physically walk over to the problem area for further inspection. Instead of a farmer walking over to the problem area for further inspection, special sensors and cameras can be incorporated to enable augmented reality. As an alternative, a farmer can fly his drone over the farm and use a tablet to inspect the problem area. Whether the farm is visible on a tablet or as a hologram it shouldn’t matter as long as the farmer is able to identify what’s wrong with his crops. If one day this becomes a reality I am sure it will gain traction and farmers with hundreds of acres will be happy.

 

 

Future Plans

Breaking Ground 

The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) industry is growing at an exponential rate. According to Bloomberg Technology, the UAS industry is expected to reach 127 billion by 2020. My first encounter with Remotely Piloted Aircraft’s (RPAS) took place in 2015 as a junior in college. The Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems class I took that fall changed my life forever. This class helped me discover how drones can be used for jobs other than photography and filming. As my knowledge of the UAS industry grew, I immediately knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life flying RPAS and working within the UAS industry.

Paving the way

Most people that know me already know that I plan on using drones in the agriculture industry, but my dreams go beyond that. I am extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated support system. As a first-generation college graduate, life hasn’t always been easy and I know how difficult things can get. Many young women and men graduate from college in Kenya, but not every one of them gets a job upon graduating. After gaining experiences within the UAS industry and fulfilling my goals, I would like to go back to Kenya and open an Unmanned Aviation School. Instead of Kenya hiring experts from other countries to do UAS related jobs, it would make more sense to train and certify qualified Kenyan citizens for those jobs. Creating jobs within Kenya will lower poverty and generate more money for both the Kenyan government and Kenyan citizens. According to the KFW Bank aus Verantwortung, “creating jobs and incomes is crucial for development”. For Kenya to continue growing and developing as a country jobs that pay fairly must be created.

True Happiness

What is true happiness? True happiness for me is waking up each day knowing that I have made a difference in someone’s life. Therefore, I want to use my knowledge and love for the UAS industry to make a meaningful contribution to society. I have a long journey ahead of me, but don’t fret I have already taken the first step.

“The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but reveal to them their own.” ~ Disraeli

Benefits of using drones after a hurricane

Category Four

Hurricanes are huge storms that last about a week. Winds produced because of a hurricane can exceed speeds of 156 mph, depending on the category. Hurricane Harvey made landfall on August 25th as a category 4 hurricane. Since then it has killed at least 63 people, according to CBS news. Harris County, the worst flooded county has the highest number of deaths. The total number of deaths included in the death total were a result of secondary complications; such as delayed medical emergencies.

Post hurricane buzzing

They are several reasons why you might be hearing post hurricane buzzing. Drones can be used for several things after a natural disaster. The most important use of drones after a natural disaster is to save the lives of people. Using drones to search for people after a natural disaster, such as a hurricane is a faster approach than the old-fashioned way. Minutes can make a difference when it comes to saving lives. Therefore, it is important for rescuers to use the latest technology to help save lives. A rescuer can use Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) to scan an area while searching for people. The camera can distinguish heat given off by humans, as a result a rescuer can quickly locate injured and/or missing people. Emergency rescuers can use images captured by drones to plan and safely execute rescue operations. Lastly, drones can be used to deliver supplies; such as life jackets to people before they are rescued.

Assessing Damage 

Fleets of commercial drones are currently hovering over areas destroyed by hurricane Harvey. These drones are not being used for search and rescue purposes, but for assessing billions of dollars in damages. Property insurance companies are using drones to inspect commercial and residential properties. Using drones has been extremely efficient for insurance companies. According to Farmers insurance, they can process three properties in an hour, before using drones it would take then an entire day.    

Inspecting cell sites

The process of recovery after a hurricane such as Hurricane Harvey is often a difficult one. It is even more difficult without electricity and network to call for help or stay in touch with loved ones. Drones can help wireless communication companies expedite the recovery process. High-resolution images and videos captured by drones will help communication companies determine if a cell site is safe to access and the severity of the damage.

Hurricane Irma

Another hurricane is headed our way. As a result, drone companies permitted to fly will assist with the recovery process. Drones have proven to be efficient at search and rescue, inspecting site sells, and assessing the cost of damages for insurance companies. I strongly urge hobbyists to not fly during rescue efforts. If you decide to fly during rescue efforts the FAA will not hesitate to fine you for interfering with emergency rescue efforts.