John Deere and Volocopter have announced their cooperation on cargo drone technology and presented the first large drone adapted for agricultural use at the recent Agritechnica show.

A demonstrator model of the VoloDrone equipped with a John Deere crop sprayer, which is ready for its first field flight, was displayed in the Future Technology Zone. Featuring a potential payload of 200kg, the  companies said the VoloDrone is able to cover an enormous area, especially under difficult operating conditions.

This first large agricultural drone is the result of a collaboration between John Deere, who say they bring knowledge of farmers’ needs, and the Urban Air Mobility pioneer Volocopter, whose flying taxis form the technological basis of the VoloDrone.

Both companies say they see great potential for the VoloDrone’s use in agriculture, with capabilities ranging from difficult topography to increased efficiency in the use of crop protection agents, sowing seeds or frost control. The development of this demonstrator is a first step towards bringing this technology closer to commercial application after full testing in the field.

The VoloDrone is powered by 18 rotors with an overall diameter of 9.2m, and features a fully electric drive using replaceable lithium-ion batteries. One battery charge allows a flight time of up to 30 minutes, and the VoloDrone can be operated remotely or automatically on a pre-programmed route.

The drone frame is equipped with a flexible standardised payload attachment system. This means that different devices can be mounted on the frame depending on the application. For crop protection, the drone is equipped with two liquid tanks, a pump and a spray bar.

Due to the drone’s low altitude in flight, very large area coverage of up to 6ha/hr can be achieved and spray management improved. This say the companies, would make the VoloDrone a sustainable, precise and cost-effective alternative to helicopters. Due to the system’s high flexibility and GPS control, more selective area-specific treatments are also possible.

Appropriate flight and application tests will be carried out with the demonstrator VoloDrone sprayer over the next growing season.