Increasing pressure on agricultural manufacture has caused a solid demand for innovative and effective agro production technologies. Along with traditional ways, information technologies are introduced for high-yield and more accurate agriculture. Among them, the most required are digital vision systems, which are commonly used to inspect and collect a range of data from the fields.
The intelligent agriculture era is already coming to the smallest farms. Automation technologies like night vision devices and their computer software can considerably increase productivity in the field. Moreover, they can help farmers to create efficient management solutions. Therefore, all agro producers should learn how to apply them to the maximum.
Let us see what kinds of night vision optics are available on the market and how a farmer can benefit from them.
Types of night vision technologies.
A farmer should consider these three factors: type, functional features, and a mounting system to better understand what night vision systems are.
Leading-edge forms of night vision devices are monoculars, binoculars, cameras, goggles, or spotting scopes. Each of them has plenty of variations and modifications. These gadgets can be mounted on different surfaces. There are models exclusively for vehicles or night vision cameras to install on a fixed location. You can equip a helmet with a night vision device or carry it in your hand if you inspect the area by yourself.
The purpose and the size of the field determine the range, magnification resolution, lens size, and coatings.
For distant field monitoring, farmers prefer surveillance cameras. The equipment works like a tireless detector of any invasion that may take place on the farm.
Clear images received and transmitted to the computer allow a human to identify alien objects that appear on the field. They can be animals, birds, people, and even cars that accidentally or on purpose entered the private property.
A recorded image or video will be a shred of irrefutable evidence for research issues, insurance proceedings, or criminal recognition. Moreover, with the help of specialized software, the saved images can be classified and turned into a helpful analytical product.
NV equipment will navigate a farming machine in foggy or rainy weather and a smoke-contaminated environment. For instance, thermal vision cameras can operate in low-temperature conditions.
Crop cultivation is a process that involves several cars and machines. Farmers work day and night during the season. Even if the vegetation period is over, they have got several activities to do. They do plowing and soil preparation, fertilize the soil, and control weeds. Today, everything is done by agricultural vehicles. It is the case when a rear-view camera is a must-have.
How night vision and thermal vision can be useful in farming
Thermal vision cameras use infrared light to identify objects in complete darkness. These cameras transmit the heat into color or black and white images. The images appear on the screen attached to farming machines. It can be sent directly to a farmer's computer to monitor the real-time situation on the field. In simple words, a night vision camera sees the light or heat with the help of sensors.
With night vision optics, a farmer is able:
• To see objects at night with crystal clear clarity
• To trace the situation at a distance
• To record and store a video on a cloud portal
• To feel safe about the data as the signal is transmitted using wireless technologies
• To control the farming process 24/7
• To save resources
One more application for night vision devices is self-driving technology. A camera installed on a remote-piloted combine harvester will show field parameters, other machines, animals, and people. It will give accurate directions to the computer for better vehicle performance. These operations will save fuel and help to avoid crop spoilage. As a result, farm facilities and crops will be protected without much effort.
Every night vision device features flexibility, mobility, and quality lens sensitivity. It is worth repeating – they operate in low light and are capable of seeing at night. Farmers can use them remotely. They are portable, waterproof, and easy to handle.
What problems do NV and TV solve in farming?
Crop management and control. It is becoming harder to monitor a crop growing process with the help of human workers. People need time and often specialized vehicles to move around the field.
Humans are vulnerable to bad weather conditions. When it rains hard, many sites become inaccessible, even for powerful farming machines. Thermal vision technologies will save the situation. Apart from people, cameras work 24/7. They control the current situation at night and notice the tiniest details that human eyes cannot see.
Resources and materials control. The data received with the help of night vision technologies is essential for resources estimation. Real-time monitoring and high clarity of the images enable a farmer to see the condition of the soil or crops, including plant diseases and insects. Digital detectors collect information about pesticides, fuel, and water consumption on the field.
Farming at night. Navigation at dark hours is a challenge for every agro producer. When it comes to harvesting, there is an urgent need for day and night field monitoring. Night vision technology is the guarantee for efficient crop cultivation and machine management.
The future of NV and TV in farming.
The digital transformation of agriculture is at its height. Digital devices that can work long hours under various climate and light conditions are highly demanded by progressive farmers. With cutting-edge monitoring systems, farmers hope to achieve cost-effectiveness and safety. And night vision manufacturers complement its development in the best possible manner.
What else can agricultural producers expect from night vision technologies in the short run?
First, it is a wide scope of their application. Second, it is longer battery life or improved solar panels for these gadgets. Next, there is a strong need for cheaper optics. The affordability of digital farming instruments is a strongly desired feature for future models.
Farming vision dust is not about science fiction. It is an emerging technology that will potentially be applied in the night vision device industry. The sensors in night-vision lenses will be as tiny as sand grains. They will ensure the most accurate data detection and communication with the computer software program. The slightest vibrations, temperature fluctuations, and color changes, and other examination methods will not be a problem for them. For example, in today's medicine, smart dust can measure hormone or blood sugar levels. Can you imagine how precisely it will be able to analyze the soil or plant condition?
All in all, night vision devices are full-fledged accessories for future farming robotechnics. In addition, researchers over the globe are investigating ways to improve night vision devices so that they will be more effective and less expensive. They are creating new fabrication methods to boost the sensitivity of photo-detectors. In parallel, they use simple material combinations.
There is no doubt that night vision gear for agriculture will impact the whole production system. Economists, researchers, and other related specialists expect the effect expected by top-level efficiency, food and environmental safety, and higher food production standards.