User-friendly drone technology hovers into view for land managers
Landholders are closer to harnessing the benefits of AI and machine learning technologies to help them manage Australia’s large, diverse, and sometimes challenging, landscapes.
Thanks to a partnership with ACEN Australia, the WeedRemeedTM software platform – developed by the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions (CISS) in partnership with 2pi Software – is easier to use than ever before and poised to reduce labour-intensive manual surveys.
WeedRemeed uses advanced colour picking and Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) technology to analyse drone imagery to identify and locate target native plants and weed species. The initial project was funded through a Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water Saving Native Species Program (Threat Innovation grants).
ACEN Australia’s generous support through its Social Investment Program has enabled the first of three planned stages of usability improvements. Delivered ahead of schedule, this critical first stage provides the foundation for further work to simplify model training and make the platform even more accessible.
CISS Chief Executive Shauna Chadlowe said ACEN Australia’s support was helping to make advanced technology more practical for everyone responsible for caring for land. “Powerful technology can only make a real difference if people can use it easily and affordably,” Ms Chadlowe said.
“For renewable energy companies and others managing large and often complex landscapes, better weed intelligence can support biodiversity protection, environmental compliance and transparent reporting, while helping target resources where they will have the greatest impact.”
CISS Business and Science Portfolio Manager, Sean Freney, said the new features are a game changer for the platform.
“They break down useability barriers to help land managers use the technology to detect and map their weeds earlier, monitor changes across landscapes and assess the effectiveness of their management actions, ultimately supporting better environmental outcomes on the ground,” Mr Freney said.
“WeedRemeed makes drone-based AI technology accessible in addressing the challenge of detecting and monitoring both priority weeds as well as endangered native species. Now the platform is easier to use, we’re confident more landholders will be able to deploy this technology, allowing them to use their on-ground management resources more effectively.”
“The new features allow users to simply create colour detection swatches in minutes. This will significantly improve their experience and enable them to get improved results quickly. It’s an exciting moment in the development of the WeedRemeed platform and we’re thankful to ACEN Australia for their support.”
For more information:
Product details and quoting tool: WeedRemeed