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Setting the Stage for UAV/UAS Applications in Agriculture. Ted Batkin Batkin Agricultural Service Visalia, CA. Current Status. Primarily Used for Crop Surveys Some applications in the Midwest states Emerging Technology for Precision Ag
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Setting the Stage for UAV/UAS Applications in Agriculture Ted Batkin Batkin Agricultural Service Visalia, CA
Current Status • Primarily Used for Crop Surveys • Some applications in the Midwest states • Emerging Technology for Precision Ag • Philosophical Disconnect between Ag and the UAV/UAS worlds. • Technical Barriers for Remote Sensing • Target Definitions • Identifying Agricultural Needs
Technical Challenges • How do new companies define the needs of the consumer (grower) • How do producers communicate their needs to the technical industries in a language they will all understand. • What sensors are necessary to meet the challenges of the agricultural community. • Who will provide the funding for research and development to close the technical gaps.
Barriers to Market Entry • Technical products that will meet the industries needs. • Political barriers to the use of unmanned systems. • Regulatory barriers to market entry. • Need for public/private partnerships for funding R & D of product development.
Opportunities • Building communication pathways for inter disciplinary forums and discussions. • Education of public officials of the positive benefits to UAV/UAS programs. • Overhaul of the current regulatory system to allow private enterprise entry into the UAV/UAS marketplace. • Development of public funding mechanisms for R & D that encourage or force partnerships.