Flying dislpay of Multiplex Drone MD-10H at the National Horticulture Fair ICAR-IIHR.
Credit: DH Photo
Bengaluru: The 8th National Horticulture Fair (NHF) witnessed three drone companies, which showcased their latest advancements in agricultural spraying drones.
Among them, two startups based out of Bengaluru — Redwing Labs and Multiplex Drone — displayed their cutting-edge solutions aimed at making farming practices more efficient.
Redwing Labs presented its fully autonomous agricultural spraying drone, designed to improve efficiency and reduce manual labour in farming. The company offers both drone sales and spraying services, charging Rs 400 per acre. Their drone, with a 10-litre tank capacity, can cover one acre in just 10 minutes. A single set of lithium-ion batteries powers the drone for up to two acres. Redwing has deployed live teams in agricultural hubs such as Yadgiri, Belagavi, Raichur, and even Chhattisgarh, focusing on crops like paddy and sugarcane. Their operations began this January. Redwing Labs is currently undergoing a type certification process for sales, which is expected to be completed within a month. The company has also set up its manufacturing facility in Hi-tech Aerospace and Defence Park in Devanahalli.
Multiplex Drone showcased its MD 10H with a live flying demonstration. This drone boasts an ergonomic foldable design, a transmission range of 500 meters, and a fully autonomous mode backed by exclusive ground control software. With an endurance of 10 minutes, it can efficiently spray up to six acres per hour. The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) has acquired one Multiplex drone for ₹5 lakh for testing. Agribot, made by a Gurugram-based company, was also showcased at the event. IIHR has purchased three drones from Agribot at Rs 9 lakh each.