Development and market introduction of an artificial intelligence-based image infestation level detection system for precision biological control through remotely piloted aircraft

• Grant number: 22/08225-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: March 01, 2023
• End date: February 28, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Electrical Engineering - Electrical, Magnetic and Electronic Measurements, Instrumentation
• Agreement: SEBRAE-SP
• Principal Investigator: Fernando Garcia Nicodemos
• Grantee: Fernando Garcia Nicodemos
• Company: NCB Sistemas Embarcados Ltda
• CNAE: Fabricação de aparelhos e equipamentos de medida, teste e controle
• City: São José dos Campos
• Pesquisadores principais: Daniel Moshe Szmargowicz
• Associated research grant(s): 24/21977-7 - FAPESP Week Alemanha 2025, AR.EXT; 22/15923-6 - Development and market introduction of an artificial intelligence-based image infestation level detection system for precision biological control through remotely piloted aircraft, AP.PIPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/12989-1 - Development of an embedded system for data collection and pre-processing for image infestation level detection system levels by imaging for Remotely Piloted Aircraft, BP.TT

Abstract

The cycle of the bovine tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) is characterized by its presence in the host body representing 5% of the population where individuals develop in males and females and 95% in the fields, in the form of engorged females, eggs and larvae. Given this fact, the control of the population of these pests directly in the fields can be considered a powerful strategy. Visual monitoring of animals and treatment with chemicals, whether for pest control in the field or in the stables, are costly and low scalable procedures. In this scenario, the development of automated monitoring tools and the definition of strategies that use the biological control of ticks directly in the fields, such as entomopathogenic fungi, can be promising aimed at establishing a more sustainable livestock, reflecting on the different links of the production chain. As a result of this more assertive monitoring, there will be an expansion of the control scale and a decrease in the use of chemicals in animals suffering from stress in the application of carrapaticides, for example. The goal of this PIPE-SEBRAE project is development and introduction of the platform for precision biological control in the market (developed in PIPE 2) with incremental innovation of a monitoring system based on artificial intelligence through image acquisition with drones. It will be generated the characterization of tick infestation levels in the fields since its highest concentration is there. This system will be equipped with an enbedded hardware in the drone to collect information from imaging and software modules to support the operations and treatment of artificial intelligence images and videos on this NCB platform. As a result, a heat map and its respective tick control protocol with the fungus Metarhizium anisopliae will be generated to mitigate the spread of diseases and their related problems. Another result of equal importance is the reduction of chemical residues in milk with the increased adoption of the use of biological agents as an alternative to chemicals, as these do not cause effects on animals. The project is aligned with the United Nations' global objectives for sustainable development: 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; and 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production. The preparation of the solution for the NET Zero Challenge will also be carried out to reduce the footprint of carbon emissions. (AU)