The course aims at presenting drone technology for agricultural applications, covering the topic both from a technological and from an operational viewpoint. More precisely following a general introduction the main considered topics are: overview of drone configurations, principles of operation, mission analysis and sizing; introduction to payloads, in terms of sensors and actuators for agricultural applications; metrics for data analysis and corresponding tools; main aspects related to drone operations and corresponding regulatory issues; laboratory activities.

Lectures and exercise sessions will allow students to:

- Understand drone technology, with specific reference to agricultural applications.
- Understand the principles of operation of the main payloads used for agricultural applications.
- Familiarise with the main operational issues associated with the use of drones in agriculture.

Part 1 - Introduction
Introduction to drone technology; the drone market; introduction to agricultural applications using fixed-wing and multirotor drones: soil and field analysis, crop monitoring, health assessment, irrigation, crop spraying, aerial planting.

Part 2 - Drones
Overview of drones: configurations (fixed-wing, multirotor, VTOL), principles of operation and main characteristics; subsystem decomposition; mission analysis and sizing; development and application of sizing tools; sizing examples for typical agricultural applications.

Part 3 – Payloads
Sensors: Overview of sensors for agricultural applications; RGB sensors, thermal infrared sensors, multispectral sensors; sensor selection criteria; integration aspects.
Actuators: Overview of actuators for agricultural applications; distribution of liquids, capsules, powders, granulates; biological control; pollination.

Part 4 – Data analysis
Vegetative indices and their calculation; numerical examples; available software tools.

Part 5 – Operations
Regulations: national, European and international rules; best practices for operations.

Part 6 – In-field laboratory activities
Mission requirement analysis; drone specification; drone design and prototyping; payload integration; in-field testing; data post-processing.

• SDG2 - ZERO HUNGER
• SDG15 - LIFE ON LAND

The students will take a written exam covering all the course topics. sed on the clarity of the presentation.
During the exam the students shall demonstrate that:

- they understand the fundamentals of drone technology;
- they have acquired a basic understanding of the principles of operation of the payloads used for agriculture;
- they have learned how to set up a drone system for a given agricultural operation.