University of Minnesota Students Develop Autonomous Drone to Deter Deer from Crops
A team of mechanical engineering and computer science students from the University of Minnesota earned the Small Farm Technology award at the Farm Robotics Challenge, a nationwide contest focusing on practical agricultural robotics solutions. Their project, named “FarmGuard’s Multi-Robot Deer Deterrence System,” is designed to reduce crop damage caused by deer through an innovative robotic approach.
FarmGuard features an autonomous drone system equipped with cameras and advanced computer vision algorithms, enabling real-time detection of deer on farmland during both day and night. The drone then employs stimuli such as lights and sounds to discourage deer from feeding on crops. This approach aims to reduce the substantial losses faced by farmers due to deer foraging behavior.
Addressing a Pressing Agricultural Challenge
Mario Jerez, a graduate student in computer science and a FarmGuard team member, highlighted the severity of the issue: one collaborating farmer experiences nearly 30% crop loss annually due to deer. This significant impact underscores the urgent need for effective, scalable solutions in agricultural wildlife management.
Professor Maria Gini, who advised the project, emphasized the practical nature of the challenge. “Our students engaged directly with farmers to understand the scope of the problem,” she said. “Currently, costly fencing remains the standard deterrent, but it restricts farm mobility and isn’t always feasible for smaller operations.”
Advanced Drone Capabilities Tailored for Deer Management
- The FarmGuard drone employs motion-planning algorithms to devise efficient flight paths, maximizing area coverage while conserving battery life.
- Self-charging capabilities allow continuous operation overnight, with sorties lasting up to 45 minutes before automatic return to the charging base.
- The system’s real-time detection and deterrence functionality represents a novel application of drone technology specifically targeting deer management, with no comparable commercial products currently available.
Gini noted that while drones have been widely adopted for general agricultural use, their application for mitigating deer-related crop loss remains largely unexplored. “There are few academic studies focusing directly on automated deer deterrence,” she added.
Wildlife Context: Deer Behavior and Crop Impact
White-tailed deer and other cervids are known for their selective browsing habits and high adaptability to fragmented landscapes, often bringing them into close contact with farmlands. Their feeding can lead to significant economic losses for farmers, especially in regions with dense deer populations.
Deer are crepuscular species, most active during dawn and dusk, which presents challenges for deterrent strategies that must operate effectively in low-light conditions. The FarmGuard drone’s ability to function day and night aligns with this behavioral knowledge, enhancing its potential effectiveness.
Furthermore, non-lethal deterrents like lights and sounds help avoid harming deer while addressing farmers’ needs, aligning with growing interest in humane wildlife management methods.
Additional reporting and sources from: Robot drone designed by University of Minnesota students aims to scare deer away from crops – InForum | Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo news, weather and sports
