The automation in agriculture aviation is seen as a safety measure, as crop dusters, which fly at high speeds and low altitudes, are prone to accidents. A 2014 report found more than 800 agriculture operation accidents between 2001 and 2010, including 81 that were fatal. Rotor's unmanned helicopters are expected to reduce these risks. However, the introduction of autonomous aviation systems could pose new dangers to the airspace. Rotor has incorporated safety measures, including a system to perform a controlled landing if contact with the helicopter is lost. The company is awaiting FAA regulatory approval to fly its helicopters commercially and plans to scale up production to meet demand in the U.S. and Brazil.
Key takeaways:
- Hector Xu, founder of Rotor Technologies, is developing unmanned helicopters for various uses including crop dusting, cargo transport in disaster zones, and firefighting. The company plans to have 20 autonomous Sprayhawks ready for market next year.
- The use of unmanned aircraft in agriculture is seen as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to traditional crop dusting, which is associated with numerous accidents and fatalities each year due to low-altitude flying and pilot fatigue.
- Despite the benefits, there are concerns that autonomous aviation systems could introduce new dangers to the airspace, particularly for existing pilots. Rotor Technologies has incorporated safety measures such as multiple communication systems and a remote pilot in control.
- Once regulatory approval is received, the challenge for companies like Rotor and Pyka will be scaling up to meet demand, particularly in large agriculture markets like Brazil which has a more relaxed regulatory environment.