Top 5 Agricultural Drones that Spread Seeds | Forestation Drones

Mars Gadgets

14 Nov 202012:40

Summary

TLDRDroneSeed is revolutionizing reforestation with drones capable of planting tree seeds at an unprecedented scale. With a focus on combating climate change, the company aims to reduce the cost of planting and growing trees through automation, making carbon sequestration more accessible. Their technology allows one operator to manage multiple drones, planting seeds efficiently and protecting them with a nutrient mix for high survival rates. By making their drone and seed technologies open-source, DroneSeed empowers individuals globally to contribute to large-scale reforestation efforts.

Takeaways

🌳 Since the 1990s, 300 million acres of forest have been deforested, which would cost 100 billion dollars to replant at current rates.
🌿 The company's mission is to reduce carbon emissions by using robotics to scale up reforestation efforts, as trees are a significant carbon sink.
💡 They aim to use drones for planting tree seeds, protecting them with spray, and monitoring their growth, offering services paid per acre.
🤖 'Big Boy', a large drone with an 8-foot wingspan and 3-gallon payload, is part of their vision to address large forestry units for planting and spraying.
🚀 The technology is akin to a high-powered paintball game, using air pressure to fire tree seed capsules into the ground.
💼 Forester companies spend millions on labor for tree planting; one person with 15 drones could match the work of 360 manual labor hours in a day.
🌱 They use seeds directly, eliminating the need for nurseries and refrigerated supply chains, and can handle up to 200 different species.
🔄 Their software platform is in beta, allowing one operator to manage 15 drones at once, which could revolutionize the economics of reforestation.
🌐 The company, DroneSeed, is positioned as a key player in carbon sequestration through forestry, aiming to make reforestation more cost-effective.
🌍 The technology could be used globally to replant areas post-wildfire or after slash-and-burn agriculture, contributing to global carbon sequestration efforts.
🌱 The script also mentions the DJI Agras T20, a drone for agricultural use, capable of carrying 20 liters of load and covering 12 hectares per hour, showcasing the broader potential of drone technology in various sectors.

Q & A

How many acres of forest are turned into wood products each year?
-Each year, about 15 million acres of forest are turned into wood products.
How many acres have been deforested since the 1990s?
-Since the 1990s, there have been 300 million acres that have been deforested.
What would be the cost to replant the deforested acres at current planting rates?
-At current planting rates, it would cost 100 billion dollars to replant the 300 million acres that have been deforested since the 1990s.
What is the primary goal of the business mentioned in the transcript?
-The primary goal of the business is to make a dent in carbon emissions, using trees as the best source to achieve this.
How does the business plan to make reforestation scalable?
-The business plans to make reforestation scalable by using robotics, specifically drones, to plant tree seeds.
What is the name of the large drone mentioned in the script?
-The large drone mentioned in the script is called 'Big Boy'.
How many tree seeds can the drone 'Big Boy' distribute per flight?
-The drone 'Big Boy' can distribute half a million tree seeds per flight.
What is the advantage of using drones for reforestation compared to manual labor?
-One person with 15 drones could do the equivalent of 360 manual labor hours of tree planting or spraying in a day.
What is the significance of using seeds instead of saplings for reforestation?
-Using seeds eliminates the need for a nursery and a refrigerated supply chain, and allows for easy mixing of 80 to 200 different species for planting.
What is the role of the software platform in managing multiple drones?
-The software platform allows one operator to manage 15 drones simultaneously, which is a game changer for the economics of reforestation.
How does the drone planting system work?
-The drone planting system works by using air pressure pneumatics to fire tree seed capsules into the ground, similar to a high-powered paintball game.
What is the potential impact of DroneSeed's technology on global carbon sequestration?
-DroneSeed's technology could be a foundational player in driving down the cost of saving the climate by replanting deforested acres, which is a major step forward in reducing carbon emissions.

Outlines

00:00

🌳 Innovative Reforestation with Drone Technology

The script discusses the environmental impact of deforestation and introduces a company's mission to combat climate change through reforestation. They aim to use drones for planting tree seeds, protecting, and monitoring their growth. The company's drone, nicknamed 'Big Boy,' has a significant payload capacity, and the potential to cover large areas efficiently. The technology is based on pneumatics, firing tree seed capsules into the ground, which could drastically reduce the cost and increase the speed of reforestation. The company is already in the beta phase of a software platform that allows one operator to manage multiple drones, revolutionizing the economics of reforestation. The script emphasizes the importance of carbon sequestration through forestry as a critical part of the global climate solution.

05:02

🌱 Open Source Reforestation Tools for Global Impact

This paragraph introduces an open-source approach to reforestation technology, focusing on the development of a drone system that can be replicated and used worldwide. The drone is designed to be inexpensive and easy to manufacture, with the hardware and software available for free download. The script highlights the importance of seed treatment with a special nutrient mix to improve establishment rates. Additionally, it mentions the development of a seed computer for analyzing optimal nutrients for seeds. The goal is to empower individuals and communities to start reforestation projects and capture carbon from the atmosphere. The paragraph also mentions a fundraising effort to support the development and dissemination of these tools, with the potential to reforest large areas and combat climate change.

10:03

🚁 Advanced Agricultural Drone for Precision Farming

The script presents the DJI Agras T20, an advanced agricultural drone designed for efficient and precise spraying and seeding. Capable of carrying a 20-liter load and covering 12 hectares per hour, the drone features independent flow control for even application and intelligent relief valves for convenient air removal. Equipped with an omnidirectional digital radar, the T20 can autonomously avoid obstacles and operate safely in various visibility conditions. The drone also includes an RTK module for centimeter-level flight planning and a new spreading system for uniform distribution of seeds and fertilizers. The T20's IP67 rating makes it washable, and its foldable design enhances portability. The script also mentions the use of the P4 Multispectral for gathering plant-level data, enabling targeted spraying to save water and reduce pesticide use. The drone's capabilities are showcased as a powerful tool for modern agriculture, pushing the boundaries of crop spraying and opening up new possibilities for the future.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Deforestation

Deforestation refers to the removal of trees and forests, often for the purpose of converting the land for other uses such as agriculture, logging, or urban development. In the context of the video, it's highlighted as a significant environmental issue that has led to the loss of 300 million acres of forest since the 1990s, contributing to increased carbon emissions.

💡Carbon Emissions

Carbon emissions are the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) or other carbon compounds into the atmosphere. The video emphasizes that trees are vital for combating carbon emissions, as they absorb CO2 and help mitigate climate change.

💡Reforestation

Reforestation is the process of replanting trees in areas where they have been cut down. The video's central theme revolves around the use of drones for reforestation, aiming to make it more scalable and efficient to combat deforestation and reduce carbon emissions.

💡Drones

Drones, as mentioned in the video, are unmanned aerial vehicles used for various purposes. In this context, they are being utilized for planting tree seeds, spraying for protection, and monitoring growth, showcasing how technology can be leveraged for environmental conservation.

💡Seed Capsules

Seed capsules are a method for protecting and planting seeds. The video describes using drones to fire these capsules into the ground, which is a novel approach to planting trees at scale without the need for nurseries or refrigerated supply chains.

💡Carbon Sequestration

Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to mitigate climate change. The video discusses how reforestation through drone technology can contribute to carbon sequestration by increasing the number of trees that absorb CO2.

💡Disruptive Technology

Disruptive technology refers to innovations that significantly alter the way things are done and can disrupt existing markets or industries. The video positions drone seed technology as a disruptive force in reforestation, aiming to revolutionize the economics and efficiency of planting trees.

💡Scalability

Scalability in this context means the ability to increase the output or size of a system while maintaining performance. The video emphasizes the scalability of drone technology in reforestation, suggesting that one operator could manage multiple drones to plant trees over large areas.

💡Open Source

Open source refers to a product or technology whose design is publicly accessible, allowing anyone to use or modify it. The video mentions that the drone technology and software are open source, enabling widespread adoption and innovation in reforestation efforts.

💡Climate Crisis

The climate crisis refers to the ongoing long-term changes in climate patterns, often attributed to human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. The video underscores the urgency of addressing the climate crisis through reforestation and carbon sequestration.

💡Agricultural Drones

Agricultural drones are used for various farming activities, including planting, monitoring, and spraying crops. The video showcases the DJI Agras T20, an agricultural drone capable of carrying heavy loads for spraying and planting, highlighting advancements in drone technology for sustainable agriculture.

Highlights

Each year, approximately 15 million acres of forest are turned into wood products.

Since the 1990s, 300 million acres have been deforested.

Replanting 300 million acres at current rates would cost 100 billion dollars.

The business aims to reduce carbon emissions through reforestation.

Robotics is seen as a scalable solution for reforestation.

The company's end objective is to use drones for planting tree seeds, protecting, and monitoring their growth.

One drone, referred to as 'big boy,' has an eight-foot wingspan and a three-gallon payload.

One operator with 15 drones can match the work of 360 manual labor hours of tree planting or spraying in a day.

The drone uses air pressure to fire tree seed capsules into the ground.

Drone Seed is considered a key player in carbon sequestration through forestry.

The company is developing a software platform to manage multiple drones simultaneously.

The technology aims to make reforestation economically viable on a large scale.

The company's goal is to replant 300 million acres deforested since 1990 to reduce carbon emissions.

The drone technology can be used post-wildfire or in areas affected by slash and burn agriculture.

Drone Seed's technology is designed to be replicable and inexpensive, with open-source hardware and software.

The company has developed a seed coating with nutrients to improve seed establishment.

The technology includes a seed computer for analyzing nutrient effectiveness for different seeds.

The DJI Agras T20 drone is highlighted for its capabilities in crop spraying and reforestation.

The T20 drone can cover 12 hectares per hour with its 20-liter load capacity.

The drone's intelligent relief valves and digital radar enhance its precision and safety.

The technology is positioned to push the boundaries of agriculture and contribute to the future of reforestation.