The Advanced Engineering School at Southern Federal University (SFedU) has launched a unique agricultural drone laboratory developing swarm technologies for farming applications. The project combines cutting-edge artificial intelligence, robotics, and agricultural science to create effective solutions in precision farming.

According to experts, the implementation of these technologies is expected to achieve impressive results: up to 20% increase in crop yields, 5% reduction in fertilizer use, and 50% decrease in yield fluctuations. This is particularly relevant for regions with high-risk farming conditions, such as southern Russia.

The key innovation lies in developing an autonomous control system for drone swarms. "We're moving from a 'one operator - one drone' model to a more efficient 'one operator - drone swarm' approach," explains laboratory head Andrey Leshchev-Romanenko. This approach significantly reduces operational costs and improves agricultural monitoring efficiency.

The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including specialized drones for crop protection spraying, computer vision systems for field monitoring, and mobile control stations. Special attention is given to developing intelligent algorithms for analyzing multispectral and infrared imagery, enabling precise assessment of crop and soil conditions.

"Hyperspectral imaging opens new possibilities in agriculture. We can track critical moments in crop development in real-time, predict disease outbreaks, and determine optimal timing for agricultural interventions," notes Professor Tatiana Minkina, head of SFedU's Intelligent Agroecosystems Laboratory.

The project is implemented under Russia's national "Unmanned Aircraft Systems" project and aligns with the country's priority directions for scientific and technological development. The development team includes specialists from various university departments, including the D.I. Ivanovsky Academy of Biology and Biotechnology and the Intelligent Technologies Support Laboratory.

Initial technology trials will be conducted on agricultural lands in Kabardino-Balkaria in partnership with Drone-Service LLC, a developer of unmanned systems for agriculture. The project has also received support under the Rostov Region's unmanned aircraft systems development program, planned through 2030.

"We're ultimately creating a comprehensive digital agricultural management system adapted to the challenging farming conditions of southern Russia. This isn't just a technological innovation – it's a step toward a new level of agricultural efficiency and sustainability," emphasizes Leshchev-Romanenko.

The project's scope includes monitoring agricultural fields of up to 100 hectares (247 acres) using autonomous drone swarms equipped with advanced sensing capabilities. The system utilizes 3D printing and digital modeling technologies, along with automated analysis systems for processing the collected data.

The research team collaborates with industrial partners to ensure practical application of the developed technologies. The laboratory serves as both a research facility and an educational platform, where students can develop practical skills in programming and operating autonomous unmanned aerial systems for agricultural applications.

About Southern Federal University (SFedU)

Southern Federal University (SFedU) is one of the largest scientific and educational centers in Russia. Its history dates back to 1915, when the Imperial University of Warsaw was relocated to Rostov-on-Don. Today, SFedU boasts 14 scientific schools, 248 academic programs, 14 international laboratories, and 12 of its scholars are among the top 2% of the most cited scientists globally. The university is home to 27,000 students from 87 countries.

The SFedU Institute of Engineering and Technology was established in 2013 on the foundation of the Taganrog Radio Engineering Institute, which itself was founded in 1951. Since 2022, the institute has been implementing the federal project "Advanced Engineering Schools." SFedU’s Advanced Engineering School in "Cyberplatform Engineering" focuses not only on advancing robotics as a field of applied science but also on developing cross-cutting technologies such as artificial intelligence, communications, electronics, and neurotechnologies.