Autonomous drones for the digitization of horti

Greenhouse horticulture is struggling with several challenges: Worldwide the greenhouses acreage is growing by 5-10% per year, nursery operations are becoming increasingly complex and there is a structural shortage of staff. Drones offer a solution by automating various tasks. With the help of cameras and sensors, the Corvus drone can, for example, carry out seed germination counting or monitor crop growth. "In greenhouse horticulture, there is a great need for data concerning crop growth. For a grower, it is almost impossible to monitor the crop in every part of the greenhouse on a daily basis. More insight leads to fewer cultivation risks and a more efficient supply chain. This saves costs for growers and contributes to the sustainable and efficient production of food," explains Frans-Peter Dechering, co-founder of Corvus Drones.

Useful cultivation information for growers

Corvus' customers are growers or cultivation specialists from horticultural companies. They can subscribe to the drone services. The drone flies over or between the crop, makes recordings and software translates the images into useful information. The first customers are already using the services of Corvus Drones. "Horticultural companies have become so large that crop information is automatically necessary on a large scale. Our ambition is to make the drone application possible for every grower, world-wide. This way, we also make a significant contribution to even more sustainable production chains," explains Dechering.

For the development of this drone, we worked closely with several launching customers for the translation of theory into practice. And with application developers who, for example, create AI models for analyzing the collected data, like Track 32, also based in Food Valley Wageningen. "Unique from our drone is that it navigates autonomous based on vision, because GPS signals are too weak to use in a greenhouse. In addition, the drone must be able to 'look' very precisely at young plants - that makes positioning a challenge."

Team Corvus Drones

Investment for further market introduction

Oost NL has been involved in the early phase of the company through the ION+ program since 2019. This enabled the entrepreneurs to further develop and validate the technology. The drone is now ready for market introduction for young plants, pot plant growers and breeders. "With this new investment, we can optimize the drone, develop new applications and prepare the organization for further commercial roll-out of the product," says Dechering.

Carl Heijne, senior investment manager Food at Oost NL: "Producers can use this drone to better control production and predict harvests more accurately. It reduces food waste. Dutch horticulture is seen worldwide as a leader in the field of production and innovation. Companies like Corvus are essential to this. They form a bridge between knowledge institutions and growers by putting innovations on the market in a practically applicable and affordable way." Oost NL invests from the Participation Fund Oost NL.

Jacco Zuijdweg, investment manager at ECG Ventures: "These drones collect a large amount of data from the crops. And more importantly: Corvus Drones works together with the right partners to convert this data into useful information for the growers. This gives growers easy and effective insight into the condition and growth of their crops. We are proud to be able to contribute to an important next step towards fully autonomous flying drones in horticulture."

Jaap Zijlstra, investment manager, Navus Ventures: "Corvus Drones provides a valuable service to growers in greenhouse horticulture who embrace digitization and automation to improve their business, not only delivering the data but also bringing it to a tangible follow-up together with their partners. This investment fits perfectly within our strategy to support innovative start-ups that contribute to the transition to sustainable food and energy."

Header Photo: Founders Corvus Drones (left: Frans-Peter Dechering, right: Gerhold ten Voorde)

Source: HortiBiz