Dutch engineers want to exterminate insects in greenhouses using drones, IR cameras and artificial intelligence

The Dutch company PATS is proposing a new way to control insect pests. Engineers believe they can solve the problem by using artificial intelligence, cameras and drones.

Here's What We Know

Experts have created two components: PATS-C and PATS-X. The first is responsible for detecting insect pests and the second for killing them.

The PATS-C component consists of a number of infrared cameras connected to the internet. Artificial intelligence processes the images it receives and can identify insects that fly over the plants in the greenhouse.

If the algorithms have recognised a useful insect, nothing happens. Otherwise, the PATS-X component, which consists of drones, comes into play. They are positioned at a wireless recharging station.

The drones simply crash into the insects, destroying them with their propellers. The PATS-X component is currently being tested, while PATS-C is already in use at 250 sites in the Netherlands in test mode. It only gives an early warning of the pests.

Source: New Atlas