senseFly Launches eBee Ag fixed-wing mapping drone

eBee Ag is senseFly’s latest addition to its eBee X series of drone solutions. Equipped with its standard 3700 mAh battery, it is capable of up to 45-minutes of flight.

Endurance battery for 55 minutes of flight time

senseFly says an endurance battery (4900 mAh) increases flight times to up to 55 minutes, allowing eBee Ag to cover more than 160 hectares (395 acres) in a single flight and saving precious time and money when compared with conventional scouting.

eBee Ag features senseFly’s new, lightweight Duet M dual-sensor fixed payload, which comprises the senseFly S.O.D.A. RGB and Parrot Sequoia+ multispectral cameras.

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eBee Ag is to make it easier than ever to field scout, ground-truth potential problem areas and gain critical crop health and field information. – Photo: senseFly

With its dual-purpose camera, eBee Ag captures accurate RGB and multispectral data from the sky to help make better decisions on the ground. “Regularly collecting multispectral data is critical to effectively assess crop health, optimise inputs and catch early indicators of pests, diseases and weed infestations that threaten crop yields. Highly-accurate index maps allow agriculture professionals to understand each acre while managing problematic areas field-wide – before they impact profits,” says the Swiss company, which recently partnered with Trimble and Microsoft.

Accuracy down to 2.5 cm

eBee Ag also features available Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) functionality for greater mapping precision. With its available RTK, eBee Ag can achieve absolute accuracy down to 2.5 cm (1 in) with RGB. This position data can then integrate seamlessly into existing GPS-enabled machinery and/or Farm Management Systems.

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Equipped with its standard battery, it is capable of up to 45-minutes of flight. An endurance battery increases flight times to up to 55 minutes. – Photo: senseFly

Backpack

The new drone , which has a wingspan of 116 cm (45.7 inch) also comes with senseFly’s new eBee X series backpack, to carry everything needed to transport the drone into and out of the field. The drone wighs 0.8 kg, has a cruise speed of 40-110 km/h (11-30 m/s or 25-68 mph) and a maximum wind resistance of up to 46 km/h (12.8 m/s or 28.6 mph). Is is equipeed with ground avoidance (LiDAR, range 120m).

senseFly says the eBee Ag shares its DNA with senseFly’s flagship eBee X fixed-wing mapping drone. “With a unique Endurance Extension option enabling a flight time of up to 90 minutes and single-flight coverage of up to 500 ha at 122m (1,236 acat 400 ft.), the eBee X is a premium solution that offers users the high-precision of on-demand RTK/PPK for achieving absolute accuracy of down to 1.5 cm (0.6 in) – without ground control points.”

Technical support and training

Farmers, agronomists and other agriculture professionals – including enterprise organizations – who purchase eBee Ag or any drone from the eBee X line get access to senseFly’s eMotion flight planning software, technical support and resource offerings, including its in-house team of experts, global distribution network and the newly launched senseFly Academy e-Learning Training Platform and Certified Operator Program.

Affordable fixed-wing solution

“The agriculture industry has been lacking a viable mapping solution that offers professional results at a more accessible price,” explains Michael O’Sullivan, senseFly Head of Marketing. “The launch of the eBee Ag introduces an affordable fixed-wing solution that delivers the long flight times, range and efficiency – as well as the data quality, accuracy and resolution – that agriculture mapping projects require.”

The eBee Ag drone costs $ 12,000 USD, excluding local taxes, duties and shipping costs.

eBee Ag also comes with senseFly’s new eBee X series backpack to carry everything needed to transport the drone into and out of the field. – Photo: senseFly