DJI Teams Up with Washington State University to Revolutionize Precision Agriculture
Key Takeaways:
- DJI, a global leader in drone technology, partners with Washington State University (WSU) to enhance precision agriculture.
- The collaboration aims to create innovative methods to boost crop yields, cut waste, and promote sustainable farming practices.
- WSU’s Center for Precision & Automated Agricultural Systems will spearhead research, integrating advanced drone technology into agriculture.
- This marks DJI’s first significant partnership with a U.S. university, signaling a broader commitment to agricultural innovation.
In a groundbreaking initiative, DJI, known for its leadership in drone manufacturing, announced on June 28, 2016, a partnership with Washington State University (WSU) focused on the research and application of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in precision agriculture. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the agricultural sector by developing methods that enhance farm efficiency, reduce waste, and ultimately increase crop yields while protecting the environment.
A Bright Future for Agriculture
DJI’s first comprehensive partnership with a U.S. university highlights its commitment to advancing agricultural technology through academic collaboration. “We are excited to collaborate with WSU, given their extensive experience in aerospace and agricultural applications,” stated Romeo Durscher, DJI’s Director of Education. By integrating DJI’s hardware with WSU’s academic resources, educators, students, and researchers will have the opportunity to develop applications using DJI’s Software Development Kit (SDK), paving the way for groundbreaking innovations beneficial to various stakeholders, from farmers to field workers.
Bridging Aerospace and Agriculture
Washington State’s rich history in aerospace innovation coupled with its abundant agricultural resources makes WSU an ideal partner. Alex Pietsch, WSU’s Associate Vice President for Corporate Relations, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. “WSU is well positioned to bridge the gap between these two industries,” he said. This partnership will empower WSU to bring DJI’s transformative technologies directly to the field to improve agricultural productivity.
Innovative Research Initiatives
The effort will be led by WSU’s Center for Precision & Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS), located in Prosser, Washington. This center focuses on providing the agricultural community in the Pacific Northwest with cutting-edge technology to enhance operational efficiency. Dr. Qin Zhang, CPAAS Director, emphasized the center’s commitment to high-impact research outcomes, stating that the unique offerings of their facilities, combined with DJI’s technology, create an exceptional environment for development and testing.
Research Directions and Future Prospects
The partnership will explore several key research areas, including:
- Precision Agriculture: Enhancing methods for crop stress monitoring, aerial imaging, and precision spraying.
- Automated UAS Development: Creating advanced platforms for crop loss management solutions, such as bird deterrence and rainwater removal from crops like cherries.
- Rapid Field Phenotyping: Utilizing aerial imaging for assessing new crop breeding lines.
- Next Generation UAS: Developing and evaluating innovative aerial systems tailored for agriculture.
Additionally, DJI plans to initiate a “Global Research Challenge” at WSU, inviting students and faculty to tackle real-world technological challenges, reinforcing the partnership’s commitment to practical solutions.
About DJI and WSU
Headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, DJI has established itself as a market leader in unmanned aerial vehicles and aerial photography systems, catering to both commercial and recreational applications. The company continues to develop sophisticated drones dedicated to various industries, including agriculture, where they launched the DJI Agras MG-1, their first agriculture-specific drone, in 2015.
Founded in 1890, Washington State University has a long-standing commitment to fostering innovation and addressing global challenges. Its research initiatives encompass diverse fields, making it a vital contributor to advancements in health, energy, agriculture, and the economy.
This promising partnership between DJI and WSU not only represents an exciting development in agricultural technology but also underscores a shared vision for a sustainable and efficient future in farming.
For further inquiries, please contact:
• Adam Lisberg, DJI Corporate Communications Director, North America – adam.lisberg@dji.com
• Robert Strenge, Assistant Director, WSU News – rstrenge@wsu.edu
For more on DJI: Visit www.dji.com or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and subscribe to their YouTube Channel.
For more on Washington State University: Visit https://wsu.edu/ or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
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