Looking for feedback on new drone scouting app idea...

[Alex Macdonald-Smith]

Hi,

I work for an agritech startup called DroneAG.
We're developing an easy-to-use app that will let you autonomously scout your crops with just your phone and a drone.
We think this could make the lives of farmers and agronomists much easier, getting the job done in 10% of the time.
We're then going to use AI to interpret the results.

It would be great to get your feedback, can you see yourself using something like this in the future?
And what additional features would you like to see developed?

Watch the video below to get an idea of what we're doing!

 

[Formatted]

Nice concept that will live and die in your execution, the cost to the farmer and reliability of the output

 

[Alex Macdonald-Smith]

Nice concept that will live and die in your execution, the cost to the farmer and reliability of the output

Thanks for the response, and yeah I agree with that.
We're getting good feedback on the outputs from our beta testers, and the testing we’re doing here on the farm, so hopefully we’ll get it right.
We’re planning to keep the cost a substantial amount lower than other drone apps!

 

[Dman2]

Think you can already do this using the litchi app and pre programming your drone to go to various points and take photos

 

[TripleSix]

I could do with surveying the grass on Gatwick airport....

 

[Dman2]

I could do with surveying the grass on Gatwick airport....

I`ll send you the pics

 

[Jack Wrangham]

Think you can already do this using the litchi app and pre programming your drone to go to various points and take photos

Yes you can to a point, we actually used Litchi to test the concept on our farm before we began development, and it works ok, but doesnt really do well with fields that have any hills in etc. The idea with Skippy is to make the image collecting process as simple/quick as possible, then start doing automatic image analysis as well, very farming focused. We also have a ton of features we want to add going forward!

p.s. I'm Jack - started Drone AG a couple of years ago.
p.p.s they actually do use drones at airports - https://airbusaerial.com/airbus-aerial-conducts-runway-mapping-worlds-busiest-airport/ but I think those guys *may* have a few contacts that we dont!

 

[Clive]

I'm running the beta version of this and i think it has great potential

just off out to have another play with it this morning

 

[Jack Wrangham]

Going through all our test data and came across this video from an early test! Wasn't quite doing what we wanted back then, luckily the forward sensors on the Mavic stopped it crashing into the field/hillside. Skip to 36 secs in to see it slam on the brakes!

 

[Alex Macdonald-Smith]

If you want to have a go at using the app, there is a test version live now.
If you have a DJI Phantom or Mavic, and use an iOS device, you should be able to use it.
www.skippy.farm

 

[Dman2]

If you want to have a go at using the app, there is a test version live now.
If you have a DJI Phantom or Mavic, and use an iOS device, you should be able to use it.
www.skippy.farm

Only got android here

 

[Alex Macdonald-Smith]

Hi everyone,

Just to let you know that we've started another thread for the app testers to give their feedback if they have any, and we'll be posting release notes for upcoming versions on that thread.
Link here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/skippy-scout-app-testers-thread.273506/

Alex

 

[Goweresque]

There was a suggestion on another thread that people in environmental schemes might find it advantageous to do a drone survey of the land in the scheme every season so that in the event of being inspected and finding out there is a problem with a certain area but only after its been cultivated they would have a record to show to the clipboard wielding maniacs exactly what was there at the time of inspection. It could be a use for your app for you to market towards.

https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/hls-inspection-errors.272880/

 

[Alex Macdonald-Smith]

There was a suggestion on another thread that people in environmental schemes might find it advantageous to do a drone survey of the land in the scheme every season so that in the event of being inspected and finding out there is a problem with a certain area but only after its been cultivated they would have a record to show to the clipboard wielding maniacs exactly what was there at the time of inspection. It could be a use for your app for you to market towards.

https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/hls-inspection-errors.272880/

Hi!
Yeah thanks for that.
We agree, mapping definitely has it's place, and our plan is to implement a live mapping feature into Skippy Scout at some point down the line.

Furthermore, you can perform very accurate Countryside Stewardship application measurements on your drone field maps too!
So instead of pacing around your field and taking margin measurements, only to get a rough average of what's there, RPA & Defra actually accept drone map measurements, simply because they're so accurate!

We actually teach both a hands-on course and an online course, on how to best use drones for mapping purposes on the farm; it's called "Using Your Farm Drone" (UYFD) and the links for those are here:
Hands on course
Online Course
(The online course is free, and you can earn BASIS & NRoSO CPD points!)

 

[Horncastlefarm]

Interested in learning more about this. I’ve dropped you an email.

 

[Alex Macdonald-Smith]

Interested in learning more about this. I’ve dropped you an email.

Brilliant, thanks! We'll get back to you.

 

[Alex Macdonald-Smith]

We've been testing the Phantom 3 Advanced... And it works!
All those with a P3 Adv or Pro can now test Skippy!

(The photos are a little blurry, but we'll fix that!)

 

[Jack Wrangham]

Fun video with our intern, Edwin, talking about Skippy Scout down on Ollys Farm!

 

[Dman2]

If you want to have a go at using the app, there is a test version live now.
If you have a DJI Phantom or Mavic, and use an iOS device, you should be able to use it.
www.skippy.farm

Are you planning on using android platform at any point?

 

[Alex Macdonald-Smith]

Are you planning on using android platform at any point?

Hi, sorry for the delay in response!
We are planning that in the future yes, probably in 2020, but potentially sooner if we get enough Android investors on Crowdcube.