Artificial Pollination by Nano drone Technology: A review

Abstract

Pollination is a critical process for crop production and ecological balance. However, the decline in natural pollinators, such as bees and other insects, due to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and diseases, has raised concerns. To address these challenges, researchers are exploring the concept of artificial pollination, with a particular focus on drone-based technology. Effective autonomous pollination necessitates drones that can proficiently navigate their environment, detect target flowers, and transfer pollen without causing harm. This multifaceted approach involves various modules: environment sensing for obstacle detection and mission-critical data collection, flower perception for locating and mapping flowers, path planning to optimize pollination routes, flight control for precise drone maneuvering between waypoints, and specific pollination mechanisms tailored to different crops. Nano drones hold significant promise in revolutionizing precise pollination in agriculture by identifying flowers, navigating to them, pollinating, and even cooperating with other drones. To enhance their efficacy, the development of diverse end effectors customized for various flower types is essential. Nevertheless, practical deployment faces challenges, including payload limitations and sensitivity to adverse weather conditions. Overcoming these hurdles is imperative to advance this innovative technology towards broader and practical implementation, addressing pressing pollination issues in agriculture and ecosystems.