Page 59 - Grapevine July-Aug 2020

Around The Vineyard

Drones in the Vineyard:

Uses, Benefits, Concerns & Key Players

By Alyssa L. Ochs
U npredictable weather conditions and the article is to explore the uses of drones in vineyards

and how drone technology may help vineyards
effects of climate change are causing vine-
yards to look to technology to solve their
nies that specialize in drones for vineyard use and
biggest problems. Interestingly, one of the most thrive. We’ll also highlight a few technology compa-
promising technological solutions that has emerged address the challenges that they must overcome to
for vineyards today is drones. These aerial devices find their place in the industry.
already play a role in military operations and retail
package delivery. Could they revolutionize the wine What Drones Can Do for Vineyards
industry as well?
It’s impossible for farmers to keep an eye on thou-
By definition, drones are unmanned aerial vehi- sands of acres of crops every day, which is what
cles that fly autonomously or by remote control. makes drone technology so attractive for vineyards.
In addition to military and commercial drones, Drones can help determine the quality of grapes
hobbyist drones have become more affordable and being grown and provide estimates of how many
accessible to the general public. The purpose of this grapes will be produced in the next harvest.
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