Autonomous Livestock And Crop Protection

Autonomous Livestock And Crop Protection FLOX Robotics has a 24/7 solution to wildlife depredation of crops and livestock. Its FLOX Edge units and Herd drone systems are equipped with AI-driven FLOX Herd software and platform that can identify wildlife species, whether wild hogs, deer, wolves or coyotes. The FLOX system responds with appropriate audio deterrence. If necessary, the Herd drone moves in to encourage the wildlife to leave the area. “The FLOX Edge units operate autonomously and independently, and when needed, can trigger the FLOX Herd drone for additional deterrence or herding in open fields,” says Sara Nozkova, FLOX Robotics. “The Herd drone works like an aerial sheepdog, using a combination of visual presence, motion herding patterns, and bioacoustic deterrence to guide wildlife away from crops and livestock.” Until recently, the FLOX drone-based system was mainly deployed in airports and transportation-related situations. The company is now working with selected larger farms in Scandinavia. It recently opened an office in California and is seeking a handful of early adopters in North America. The FLOX Edge unit is a proximity-aware, battery-powered system with thermal and RGB cameras. Connected to the cloud, it performs over-the-air updates, system tracking and event logging. It operates independently for day-to-day deterrence. The FLOX Herd drone software is currently compatible with the DJI Dock 2 drone deployment system. It operates within a range of up to 2.8 miles and a flight window of 30 to 40 miles. The system can be installed at a specific field or relocated as needed to cover multiple fields. DJI drones are equipped with vision sensors and utilize GNSS satellite positioning. They can be programmed for automated missions or managed and monitored through the FLOX Herd platform. Using the Herd drone platform, users can monitor connected devices in real time, schedule drone operations, and inspect the targeted area. The platform provides detailed records of past and ongoing operations, upcoming inspections, and visual representations of detection and repels. According to Nozkova, a typical installation on a 20-acre field would include three to five Edge units creating a smart perimeter and a Herd drone system. Larger fields might require two or more drone systems with strategically placed Edge units. The number of Edge units depends on fenced versus unfenced fields and hotspots, such as road or path crossings. “The drone can safely guide animals to preferred locations, such as nearby forests, using pre-programmed routes and AI-driven flight paths,” says Nozkova. “For proactive livestock protection, the drone can actively patrol, intercept and deter predators before they reach the livestock.” Pricing varies by farm size and the number of devices needed. The early adopter price starts with five Edge units at $6,000 per year. A subscription to a complete system with a DJI Dock 2 drone and the Herd wildlife management software and platform starts at $20,000 per year. Installation of Edge units can be done without technical expertise. However, the drone systems require remote assistance or on-site support by FLOX representatives. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, FLOX Robotics, Drottning Kristinas väg 53, 114 28 Stockholm, Sweden (www.FLOXrobotics.com) or US Office: 633 Main St., Half Moon Bay, Calif. 94019.

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.