At RHIZA, we are dedicated to bringing the latest advancements in precision agriculture to the forefront of modern farming. As part of our commitment to innovation, we are collaborating with Agrii and DroneAg to trial a ‘drone in a box’ (DiaB) system—an autonomous solution set to redefine how trial plot data is collected and analysed.

Reducing Effort, Increasing Insights

Current drone assessments are constrained by travel and manual operation. For instance, while data collection may only take 17 minutes, the journey to and from the trial site often requires hours of travel. By leveraging DiaB technology, RHIZA can eliminate these inefficiencies, enabling:

• Remote data acquisition.
• Frequent assessments to capture critical growth patterns.

“With fully autonomous flight, we could collect data daily, tracking exactly when plots begin flowering and monitoring their progress through the season,” explains Jonathan Trotter, a key collaborator in the project.

Pioneering UK Adoption of DiaB Systems

In May, RHIZA and Agrii installed one of the first DiaB systems for trial plot analysis in the UK at a site in Yorkshire. This initiative, powered by DroneAg’s Skippy Scout software, represents a step forward in merging cutting-edge technology with practical agronomy.
The system is currently operated with on-site monitoring. While the drone flies autonomously, a person maintains a visual line of sight and is prepared to take manual control if necessary. This phase is crucial for proving the safety and feasibility of autonomous drone operations.

Looking Ahead to Full Autonomy

RHIZA’s collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is vital in paving the way for fully autonomous flights. Approval for these flights is expected by 2025, subject to the rigorous standards set by the CAA, which assesses each application individually.
“Achieving authorisation requires meeting a high bar for safety and operational excellence,” says Jonathan. “It’s a complex process, but the potential benefits make it a worthwhile investment.”

Unlocking New Opportunities in Digital Agronomy

With the ability to collect data remotely and daily, DiaB technology will empower RHIZA to provide farmers with more detailed insights than ever before. From tracking flowering timelines to monitoring crop development in real time, this innovation has the potential to transform trial plot management and unlock new efficiencies in agronomic decision-making.

Leading the Future of Precision Agriculture

At RHIZA, we believe in the power of automation and data to drive smarter farming. The DiaB system is another example of how we’re integrating cutting-edge technologies into practical solutions for growers, helping them optimise productivity and enhance sustainability.