July 30, 2015

Nixon Robotics is set to launch Australia’s first drone service for the country’s agriculture sector, government agencies, and firefighters.

The company has been running field trials in Queensland and New South Wales on its UAV, which is made by Israel’s Bluebird Aerosystems, has a three-meter wingspan, and a dual-camera system for both thermal and visual scouting.

What makes Nixon different, however, lies in its scope of abilities. The company has worked closely with Australia’s Civil Aviation authorities, which has given the company the ability to operate beyond traditional civil boundaries. Nixon UAVs can operate out of the direct line of sight, at an altitude of up to 400 meters in both autonomous and manual modes, can stay in the air for up to four hours at a speed of 120 kilometers per hour, and have night vision.

“Australian landholders and managers have been struggling against the problem of invasive pest species for decades, including feral dogs, pigs, deer and rabbits,” said Ninox MD Marcus Erlich. “The issue has caused cumulatively billions of dollars in damages and lost revenue…”

Once the UAVs gain approval, which is expected by the end of the year, Mr. Erlich plans to begin operations with a team of three UAVs, and an average service time of four hours will cost a farmer or government agency approximately $3,000. “Given the losses in the farming sector alone to things like wild dogs, we consider this to be an affordable investment on the behalf of farmers,” notes Erlich.