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Tag: Drones

  • Top five game-changing technology-based solution providers for precision farming

    Top five game-changing technology-based solution providers for precision farming

    Mumbai: The agriculture sector is currently attempting to feed a growing global population sustainably while dealing with major issues including resource depletion and climate change. To improve agricultural practices, precision farming makes use of a variety of technology, including sensors, GPS, drones, artificial intelligence, and microbial-based solutions. These technologies enable farmers to monitor crop health, soil conditions, and weather patterns precisely, improving crop quality and increasing yields while decreasing waste and more efficiently allocating resources. In the face of climate change and food scarcity, precision farming is essential for sustainable agriculture because it promotes resource conservation, well-informed decision-making, adaptability, and global food security.

    Listing down the top five game-changing technology-based solution providers for precision farming:

    Microbial-Based Solutions: IPL Biologicals Limited has promoted a sustainable future by managing pests and residues while optimizing crop yield, quality, and soil health through the use of native microbial-based solutions. Maintaining its dedication to secure and environmentally friendly farming, IPL combines integrated pest and nutrient management, substituting microorganisms for chemicals. Ever since its inception in 1994, the company IPL Biologicals has laid down the benchmark to gain trust among farmers for premium yields and return on investment by putting the health of the world and the welfare of their customers first. With its wide array of biological solutions—such as bio-fungicides, bio-fertilizers, and bio-insecticides—IPL uses the power of microbes to promote sustainable agriculture. Their cutting-edge products, which have more than 50 organic certifications and comply with regulations, aim to transform the sector with their high CFU counts and extended shelf lives. Performance and sustainability are given top priority by IPL to improve the world going forward.

    Drones: Thanos Technologies has been a pioneer in the domain of drone manufacturing since 2016. However, no other company shouts louder about the revolution in precision farming than the company. They have a keen focus on in-house drone production and state-of-the-art technology for customized solutions for agriculture. Their commitment to innovation goes beyond anything and extends from agricultural drones for crop management to tailor-made solutions for specific needs. Notably, they have just introduced a cutting-edge agricultural spraying-as-a-service that pushes the boundaries of precision farming practices. On the path of innovation, Thanos Technologies represents the idea of a revolutionary break from ordinary practices. Their commitment to surpassing expectations underlines their belief in delivering instead of promising, painting the skies with ideas that challenge the status quo of farming practices.

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: Agriculture is changing through AI and machine learning in various ways: from predicting yields to disease detection and even sorting. To make these predictions, Cropin, a company founded in 2010, is a leader in Agtech thanks to its Cropin Cloud, the first industry cloud specifically designed for agriculture in the world. By enabling stakeholders to make well-informed decisions through the use of digitization and predictive intelligence, farming efficiency, production, risk management, and sustainability are all improved. With 16 million acres digitalized and more than 250 B2B partnerships, Cropin has an impact on more than seven million farmers worldwide. Leading the way in the ‘Ag-intelligence’ trend, Cropin’s agricultural knowledge graph spans 103 nations and more than 500 crops and 10,000 variants. Predictive intelligence is computed for more than 0.2 billion acres globally using the Cropin Cloud’s intelligence platform. By enabling data-driven insights, streamlining resource use, tackling issues like food shortages and climate change, and revolutionizing precision farming, this game-changing technology eventually advances sustainable agriculture on a worldwide basis.

    Robotics: Using AI-powered agricultural robots, Niqo Robotics (previously TartanSense) is leading a sustainable agricultural revolution in India. With a foundation in their goal of “Victory of the People,” Niqo seeks to liberate the farming ecology by developing trustworthy and easily available robots for environmentally friendly farming practices. Their creative strategy combines the concepts of precision farming with artificial intelligence to maximize agricultural techniques. These robots give farmers cutting-edge instruments to increase output, reduce resource use, and lessen their influence on the environment. Niqo Robotics enables farmers to make well-informed decisions, adjust to changing conditions, and sustainably increase yields by utilizing automation and data-driven insights. Their dedication to developing precision farming technologies is a testament to their vision of a day when agricultural innovation will drive agricultural growth and provide food security and environmental stewardship for future generations.

    Internet of Things (IoT): GramworkX uses satellite, AI, and Internet of Things technology to provide a cutting-edge smart farm resource management application. It provides farmers with essential information on microclimate, current weather information, forecasts, and irrigation scheduling. To avoid over- and under-irrigation, which can impede crop growth, the algorithm optimizes irrigation by taking into account soil type, meteorological conditions, crop stage, and irrigation system. Furthermore, by continuously improving forecasts through the analysis of meteorological information from multiple places, their machine-learning system provides irrigation forecasts up to one week in advance. Farmers can make more informed decisions with GramworkX, which increases farm output and resource efficiency. With the help of this all-inclusive solution, farmers can plan irrigation more easily and make well-informed decisions that will maximize crop growth and sustainability.

    From Microbial Based Solutions, drones, artificial intelligence, Robotics and the Internet of Things, there exist technological innovations that will revolutionize precision farming. These, in turn, have improved crop resilience, raised yields, and laid the foundation for sustainable and efficient production, in a bid to curb concerns of global food insecurity, while ushering in the way for effective and efficient agricultural production.

  • Thanos Technologies launches new manufacturing facility and corporate office

    Thanos Technologies launches new manufacturing facility and corporate office

    Mumbai: Thanos Technologies, a pioneer in agricultural drone technology, launched its new corporate office and production facility in Jeedimetla, Hyderabad on 15 April 2024. This strategic expansion is a milestone for Thanos and a major step towards its aim to transform agricultural practices with innovative drone technologies.

    The state-of-the-art facility is a testament to Thanos’s commitment to meet the evolving needs of farmers across India. It boasts an initial annual production capacity of 3000 drones, with plans for further scalability to match the increasing market demands. Additionally, in the last six months, Thanos has doubled its workforce, recruiting experts across various sectors to enhance customer experience, particularly in after-sales service and production and training support. The company is also actively channeling investments into its technology team to bolster and broaden its production capabilities for the development of technologically advanced agricultural solutions.

    “We are thrilled to announce the launch of our production facility and corporate office in Hyderabad. In the last fiscal year, we have witnessed tremendous growth and significant traction in the local market. At present, we are operating in different states of India, and in the current fiscal year we aim to penetrate international markets specifically Southeast Asia and Africa.” said Thanos Technologies founder and chief executive officer Pradeep Palelli.

    As part of the expansion strategy, the company intends to raise its first round of investment to enhance its products with newer technologies, scale up operations, and reach more customers nationally and internationally. Furthermore, Thanos is dedicated to securing certifications for three new agricultural spraying drone models this year, expanding the customer base. The company also plans to deploy its in-house developed mapping drones for agricultural intelligence, offering farmers valuable insights for enhanced crop management.

    Furthermore, with a sales target of 2500 drones for the current fiscal year and anticipated usage of more than 10,000 drones by FY 2026–2027, Thanos is dedicated to promoting sustainable agriculture innovation and empowerment.

  • Innovation is the pillar of the new events industry

    Innovation is the pillar of the new events industry

    Over the last few years, the events industry in India has experienced exponential growth and transformation, as a result of advancements in technology, new opportunities, platforms, and so on. While earlier, the sector dealt primarily with small scale events, today, massive, elaborate events are a common sight, with people flocking to them from all over the country. However, large scale events like these require a great deal of ideating, innovating, and brainstorming, and often, are not executed as well as they could have been, owing to the challenges involved.

    The phrase “If you do something, do it well, or don’t do it at all” is one that almost all of us are familiar with, and resonates with me greatly. As such, I believe that in order to make an event a massive success, the backend work and preparation that go into it, are of tremendous importance. It isn’t just about the efforts, but rather, the innovative ideas, concepts, and execution that make an event exceptional. A few of the factors and key innovations which make up the backbone of the event industry are enumerated below:

    Out-of-the-box concepts

    Given the explosive growth that the events industry has seen over the last few years, a large number of key, established players have poured into the market, while many more new groups are making their way in, every now and then. This is why it is extremely important for an event to be able to set itself apart from the rest, to leave a lasting impression. Out-of-the-box thinking and innovative concepts help create a unique experience for the guests, which not only ensure that they have a great time but also makes them eagerly look forward to the next event in the calendar.

    Importance of unique venue design

    The venue selected also has much to do with the success of the event, as it provides the framework for the experience that the guests will be a part of. Gone are the days when a stage and sound equipment were all that you need to make an event successful. From open-air concert grounds and underground basements to nature trails and more, event venues have only evolved more and more, with time, and hence, need to continue pushing boundaries, to create the perfect ambience and environment that complement the kind of event being organised.

    Variation in lighting

    In any kind of event, lighting plays a major role in creating the kind of aura and ambience that will make it a success. Not only that, the kind of lighting used and the way it is used have a lot to do with the prevailing mood of the audience as well, controlling the ebb and flow of the crowd, and its energy. From colourful psychedelic lights to more sombre, grim ones, lighting is one of the most important parts of the fundamentals of an event, and as such, need to be organised and set up appropriately and accordingly.

    Technology used

    The options offered by technology have made today’s event industry dynamic, revolutionary, and highly interactive. From drones and VR to live streaming and more, event organisers nowadays have a host of options to help augment their events and make them larger than life. Additionally, technology has also helped streamline and organise the industry as a whole, providing various platforms, features, and innovative solutions for it to grow and evolve.

    Crowd-sourcing

    The concept of crowdsourcing, though an old one, was almost unheard of, even a decade back. However, today, the event industry has realised the true potential of crowdsourcing, and more and more talented but unknown artists are gaining exposure, as a result. Additionally, crowd-sourced events are affordable and cost-effective, while providing the audience with a chance to directly contribute towards making their desired events a reality.

    Marketing/digital marketing

    To promote any event, it is extremely important to plan a great marketing strategy keeping in mind the target audience for the event. An event relevant blog post can also help in reaching out to the audience considering a blog is a good strategy to showcase everything around the event. Blogs can be directly targeted to the audience through interviews with the speaker or performer. Email marketing can also be considered as the second strong channel in all industries. Also, social media has been the most preferred platform for planning, promoting and executing the event; it is used to create a buzz around the event with various content and allows the followers to share and discuss it.

    Owing to these factors, the evolving dynamics of event technology have helped improve the attendee experiences and the level of engagement, as a result of which, the event industry has today become highly competitive and sought after. Every event organiser attempts to ensure that they create an event which is out of the box and caters specifically to the audience, in order to guarantee success. The power of social media is also a huge boon, which helps in spreading awareness and engaging the target audience, even before the event, so as to build the hype and ensure maximum attendance. These elements teamed with effective marketing strategies, and attention to every detail, play the most important role in helping organise a successful event. Not only does that ensure the maximum number of attendees, but it also helps create a unique experience that is attuned to the guests and their specific preferences, because of which, they keep coming back for more.

    (The author is MD, Dome Entertainment. The views expressed here are his own and Indiantelevision.com may not subscribe to them)

  • ‘Election Express’ flies high with Quidich’s aerial cams

    ‘Election Express’ flies high with Quidich’s aerial cams

    MUMBAI: In an election season when every second channel is belting out poll-related news and shows, how does one stand out in a crowd?

    The answer lies in how Headlines Today has deployed a new technology from a little-known company, Quidich, to give a facelift to its show, Election Express (EE).

    Launched in December 2013, Quidich provides aerial photography and videography using quadcopters and octocopters. Till date, Quidich members are busy touring the country with Headlines Today editor-at-large, Rahul Kanwal and his EE team.

    Quidich is constituted by three young men including CEO Rahat Kulshreshtha, who studied at the University of Westminster and worked with Star News, Nirvana Films and the British film industry; technical head Tanuj Bhojwani, an IIT Mumbai alumnus who left a management consultancy firm for Quidich; and marketing head Gaurav Mehta, a mechanical engineer from the College of Engineering, Pune. Currently, the office is based out of New Delhi and there are plans to have another one in Mumbai to tap into the Hindi film industry. For now, it’s a six-strong team with four permanent members.

    Aerial machines are fitted with cameras to provide shots which are called drones or multi-rotors. Explains Bhojwani, “The technology behind these drones is easy to grasp, but hard to master. It’s very easy to get something into the air, but to keep it there and stable is a very hard task.’

    The essential part of the equipment is the flying object which needs to be designed based on the client’s needs and the flight time. Next is the flight controller, which consists of a remote in the hand of the pilot and a microchip on the drone that receives the remote’s signal. Handling of this decides the precision and stability of the flight.

    For EE, two quadcopters (four motors) and one octocopter (eight motors) are being used. The batteries used are 7700 mAh, whose drainage is inversely proportional to the size of the copter. For example, an octocopter with a 5D DSLR can work with two such batteries for approximately 15 minutes in air. More motors means capacity to carry bigger cameras.

    Then comes the essential part of stabilizing the camera on the drone. An essential scientific technology called gimbal, which is present in a variety of instruments like gyroscopes and accelerometers, is utilized to stabilize the camera. After all, you wouldn’t want to break expensive cameras! For advanced and larger equipment with expensive flight controllers, the camera may also be programmed for self-control or manipulated using a device such as an iPad from the field so that it can fly on a set pattern.

    Using these drones, the Quidich and EE teams have been touring India for the past few weeks with the day beginning at 6:00 am and ending at 10:30 pm. Of this, a lot of time is consumed by bus travel while shooting goes on for about two to three hours a day. “We have our own drones but Quidich’s drones fit our bill as they are on the higher end and their operators are unbelievably deft with the controls,” says India Today group chief creative officer and India Today group digital chief operating officer Kalli Purie.

    So how did Quidich come up with the idea of the aerial camera? “The idea for the aerial camera actually came from our own experience. Rahat was trying to shoot a video for which he required aerial cameras. Attempting to experiment with the camerawork being employed, he discovered that services in India for aerial footage were literally non-existent or non-affordable. It was then that the idea to facilitate such a process was seeded, and shortly after, Quidich was formed,” says Bhojwani.

    Quidich services have also been employed for a short film for IRCTC, Volkswagen Motor Sports and NDTV for one of their companies called Red Dot Films. Bhojwani points out that such a service is used on a small scale in India mainly due to requirements of large scale production for news services, advertisements, sports coverage and feature films.

    Drones have been used in news channels for producing stock footage, unlike its usage for live telecast in EE. The range of the shot varies from 500 metres to 10 kms while the height can go up to 500 feet. Currently, Quidich owns three GoPro cameras that are used for action shots, one Nikon D500 mini, and one Nikon D800. While the GoPro is built for such shots, it cannot work precisely in low light and narrow areas.  Tie ups with camera rental companies assure that the client’s needs are met with good pricing. Now it is looking at buying the portable Blackmagic Design production camera that records 4k videos and supports different types of lenses.

    The bigger copters weigh about six to seven kg and are built of carbon fibre that is a lighter version of steel while the smaller ones are made of sturdy plastic and weighs about 1.5 kg. This, along with the gimbal ensures that the drone doesn’t crash and neither is it blown away by the wind.

    Although Quidich presently provides video services, it is looking at exploring other possibilities. Work is currently on on developing innovative options for out-of-home branding for marketers in India through quadcopters such as sky writing. “We are not restricting ourselves to being a technology company. There are just eight to 10 such large scale operators in the country,” says Kulshreshtha.

    For live transmission, radio equipment is fitted on the drone that corresponds to receiving stations on the ground. One signal beams back the video to the pilot that works on radio frequency while the main signal sent to the mixing station for live or recorded use is through OFDM (Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) technology. This ensures uninterrupted HD video being sent back unlike in radio frequencies. The RF tech can cost around Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 while the OFDM is on the higher end at about Rs 1 lakh. The setup for a live link can be up and running in 15 minutes.

    Purie feels that the usage of drones has given the viewer a more realistic experience apart from the five existing cameras on the show. “Good election coverage happens on the ground and drones are a perfect compliment,” she adds.

    The alternative options that are currently in use are helicopters and Jibs that are cumbersome and unable to fly to heights. “In contrast to any of these methods, Quidich’s technology can be availed at competitive rates and less than around one fifth the cost,” says Bhojwani. Pricing for this technology depends on a range of things such as type of copter, camera, timing, footage receiver etc, but for a full day shoot, prices could range from Rs 20,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh.

    The only thing the pilot has to concentrate on is to steer the drone away from obstacles or keep it away from the reach of passer-bys. So how do they deal with people staring into the flying camera while shooting? “We start flying five to ten minutes before actual live time so they get bored after that,” laughs Bhojwani.

    “We at Quidich believe in always providing state-of-the-art service to our clients, so that we can push the limits of what is possible,” says Kulshreshtha. On the experience working with EE, Bhojwani says, “It may be one thing to step out of the comfortable confines of a news studio to make your reporting distinct, but it is another ball game altogether to be negotiating with that amount of travel on a daily basis. With everyone pushing themselves physically and mentally, it was a gruelling but deeply satisfying experience.”

    EE being Quidich’s first big assignment, has the company managed to get some eyeballs? “We are currently in talks with a diverse group of prospective clients. These include an ad film for a sports brand, a full-length regional feature film that may be shot in Ladakh, and a Bollywood film that would be shot in Goa. We are also negotiating offers for corporate films that include property clients. Unfortunately, given that we are still finalizing most of these assignments, I would be unable to get into the specifics of these offers,” says Bhojwani.

    TV Today on the other hand has already decided to sign up with Quidich for a new show.