Earth Observation by Autonomous Solar UAV
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Information -
Provider/source -
Material -
Assessment
FEFTS Specifications
Research project
for Soil carbon sequestration
Special practice
Nutrient management
Agricultural domain
Open-field agriculture
Suitable for
Farmer
Applications
Other
Type of solution
Software, Hardware, Complete solution
Details
Project`s acronym: SX1.3
Project funding type: EU
Project funding source: H2020
Project coordinator: XSUN
Coordinator location: France
Coordinator email / Contact form: available at: https://xsun.fr/contact/
Project status: Finished
Total budget: 2663500
Additional info
XSUN develops an innovative autonomous solar drone dedicated to earth observation. Inspired from satellite earth observation, XSUN aims to offer affordable earth data acquisition performed by unmmaned autonomous vehicules to a range of end users which have all express their support to the SolarXOne project : Linear infrastructure observation (such as railway, pipeline or electrical grid), environmental & security surveillance issues (forest fire detection, traffic surveillance). Maritime observation (traffic surveillance, fishing surveillance), precision agriculture (monitoring of the health of crops and livestock).
A first autonomous prototype is ready (TRL6). Thanks to a patented double-wing innovative design, the performances of SolarXOne are disruptive compared to existing solutions: large payload capacity (7kg) enabling to carry a wide range of data acquisition sensors, very stable flight enabling precise data acquisition, long flight (>600 km / Day), cheaper price for end user compared to competitors. A world record of autonomous solar flight will be tempted in the next months. SolarXOne project objectives are to industrialise the drone production with enhance performances. Adaptability to Hydrogen energy source will be added as well as vertical take-off capability. Market demonstration will be done during the project for linear infrastructure, fire detection, maritime surveillance and precision agriculture. Two operating centres will be opened in France and Germany.
XSun is based on 2 complementary business models: earth data service commercialization operated from the control centres and complete system commercialization. Market analysis have been performed for each segment and the business plan shows promising revenue reaching 30 M€ in 2025.
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Assessment
This section contains a brief assessment of the FEFTS described.
There are 3 basic categories: General, Environmental and Socioeconomic assessment.
The purpose of this assessment is to give a quick overview to the potential FEFTS user of its application benefits.
For each question, the Likert scale is used with the following possible answers:
Strongly disagree, Disagree, Neither agree nor disagree (Neutral)/non applicable, Agree, Strongly agree
General
This FEFTS contributes to improve the energy profiles of farming systems:Environmental
The application of this FEFTS directly reduces fossil energy use, in terms of:- Tools and equipment electricity consumption
- Fertilizer reduction
Socioeconomic
The application of this FEFTS contributes to cost reductions of farming systems:Keep in mind that this assessment is subjective, based on publicly available information.
All registered users are asked to evaluate each FEFTS and when an adequate number of reviews is gathered the results depicted here are updated. Each review is screened in order to avoid malicious practices.
FEFTS providers who do not agree with the assessment results, can send their inquiry to info@agrofossilfree.eu and a direct action based on their petition will be taken.