Aerobotics, a South African company, is using artificial intelligence to help fruit and nut farmers improve crop yields. The company, which started nine years ago, now operates in 18 countries with the U.S. being its largest market. California is a key focus for Aerobotics, as it produces more than half of all fruit and vegetables grown in the U.S. The California Climate and Agriculture network has warned of the potential impacts of climate change on agriculture in the state, underscoring the need for innovative solutions like those offered by Aerobotics.
Aerobotics uses AI to help farmers increase crop yields and improve water resource management. By combining AI with imagery sources, the company helps fruit and nut producers make better decisions and improve their yields. Through the use of drones and mobile phones running AI software, farmers can gather data about their crops and trees. This data is then analyzed to predict crop yields and provide valuable insights for planning and management. The AI system developed by Aerobotics has been able to significantly reduce the time needed to monitor trees for pests and diseases on farms.
The AI models developed by Aerobotics analyze images of individual fruits to calculate metrics such as size, color, and quality. This data is then used to make hyper-localized forecasts and optimize crop production. The software also helps detect irrigation issues and assists with fertilizer usage and replanting. By creating digital models of trees on farms and tracking their health over time, Aerobotics is able to help farmers make better decisions and improve their overall production.
Customers of Aerobotics, such as North Bowie Farming in Arizona, have seen tangible benefits from using drone imaging and AI technology to monitor their orchards. By analyzing drone images, farmers are able to identify health issues in specific blocks of trees and apply treatments as needed. The technology has helped improve the health uniformity of orchards and increase overall yield. The AI-driven approach not only improves crop production but also helps with crop insurance policies and safeguards growers’ production.
AI plays a pivotal role in the success of Aerobotics and its ability to scale its operations effectively. By using AI and imagery, the company is able to increase the efficiency of data collection and analysis by more than 10 times. Through partnerships with growers across the U.S. and other countries, Aerobotics is helping to address the global challenge of food security by enabling farmers to do more with less. The company’s innovative use of artificial intelligence is not only benefiting individual farmers but also contributing to the overall improvement of crop yields and sustainability in agriculture.
