Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a crucial ally for the agricultural sector, especially in fruit production. A notable example is the innovative project dedicated to blueberries developed by Cristhian Aguilera, an Electronic Civil Engineer and Doctor of Engineering Sciences from the University of Bío-Bío (UBB) in Concepción (Chile).
Blueberry Project
The project, called "Characterization of the blueberry cultivation process through 3D multispectral image analysis and deep learning techniques," aims to transform the monitoring and management of crops through advanced technologies with drones. Chile, one of the largest exporters of blueberries to markets such as the United States, China, Australia, and Europe, must ensure that this fruit, highly demanded for its antioxidant properties, arrives ripe and in good condition.
Goal of Permanent Monitoring
This is the main goal of Aguilera's research, which explained that "it is a project that aims to have a permanent monitoring and characterization of blueberries, providing crucial information on the ripeness of the fruits and supporting the logistical planning processes of the harvest."
Drones in the Fields
The system operates via drones that travel through the fields periodically, capturing images and recording every stage of the blueberries' growth. This information is provided in real-time through an application, allowing the status of the fruit to be known and determining the optimal time for the final harvest.
Impacts and Innovations
Aguilera emphasized that "the information provided by the sensors of drones in the blueberry fields, in addition to visual inspection of growth and production estimation, can signal the presence of pests or weather conditions, such as frosts that can damage the floral tissue of the fruit." He added that the initiative aims to establish intelligent vision systems that allow cameras to capture their environment in a multidimensional and multispectral manner, making advanced autonomous decisions, similar to the capability of a human expert in the field.
Continuous Improvement
The constant delivery of data to the system serves as a process of continuous training for the AI, with progressive improvements. This ensures that the devices can run models smoothly, maintaining a reliable and efficient operating margin.
Impact of the UBB Faculty of Engineering
The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at UBB, Patricio Álvarez, highlighted that such projects allow the capabilities of AI to be directly transferred to an industry with competitive gaps that can be bridged through innovation and technology use. "This is where our opportunity to add value and competitiveness to the productive processes of our regions lies," he stated.
This initiative marks a milestone for UBB in integrating technology to improve agricultural productivity, positioning artificial intelligence as an indispensable tool in the path of innovation of Chilean agriculture.
Source: Blueberries Consulting
