Development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to Monitor and Eradicate Golden Apple Snails in Agricultural Plots

Siriruang Phatchuay; Pornprasit Boontong

Authors

Siriruang Phatchuay Major of Computer Engineering Technology, Faculty of Industry and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand
Pornprasit Boontong Major of Computer Engineering Technology, Faculty of Industry and Technology, Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand

Keywords:

Unmanned Aircraft, Surveillance, Golden Apple Snails

Abstract

The objective of this study was to design, engineer and develop an unmanned aerial vehicle prototype for surveillance and control of proliferation of golden apple snails in agricultural fields. This was achieved by applying the vehicle in conjunction with surveillance image processing; the snails were eradicated via a sprayer attached to the aerial vehicle sprayer. Doing so would reduce the risk of chemical exposure to farmers The research was divided into 2 parts: (1) Operation of four-rotor aircraft installed with a water pump motor system by steering the flight. The unmanned aerial vehicle was initiated by remote control in manual operation mode. When the aircraft was stabilized in the air, its height position would be locked in order to fly and detect the snail eggs. (2) Image processing was conducted using HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) space to analyze the color values of snail eggs at four altitudes, namely, 1 m, 1.5 m, 2 m and 3 m. Accuracy of the flight system to detect snail eggs was assessed. A group of 1,000 images was used to test the software of the system within the campus area of Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin Wang Klai Kangwon Campus as well as within the agricultural plots of farmers in Thap Tai Subdistrict, Hua Hin District and Nong Ta Taem Subdistrict, Pranburi District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. The results showed that the unmanned aerial vehicle for surveillance and control of proliferation of golden apple snails was able to survey and detect snail eggs and eradicate the snails at the specified altitude with an overall accuracy of 80%.

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