Location: Sugarbeet Research
Project Number: 3060-21000-045-047-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2026
End Date: Aug 31, 2027
Objective:
Main objective of this research is to investigate physical AI and agricultural robot\drone for precision weed control in the area of weed sensing, autonomous navigation, and treatment control.
Approach:
The current weed sprayer in sugarbeet field is pulled by a tractor. This tractor-pulled sprayer has a field access limitation caused by wet soil conditions in regions with frequent spring rains like North Dakota. Missing timely application window can impact control efficacy and yield. This study will be investigating a spray drone for timely spray regardless soil wetness conditions. The development extends to a smart drone system capable of self-launch and remote charging for a fully automated spray cycle triggered by AI model.
1. AI-driven weed detection models and edge devices to improve the efficiency and accuracy of weed treatment
2. Investigate high-level architecture of a smart drone capable of remote charging and self-launching\return at a landing pad
3. Develop an enclosed dock of drone swam for automatic doors, remote charging pads, and self-launching by weather and AI-driven model in relay or parallel flights.