Drone Demo to Cover Emerging Technologies and Applications

Karin Hickenbotham

Advanced Air Mobility and Autonomous Operations students in the field with Richard Ham.

Do you want to learn how the latest technology can enhance your degree program? Drones have been widely adopted in nearly every discipline to improve efficiency, and you can be part of this exciting trend regardless of your major or interests.

To help current and prospective students discover the benefits of drone technology, the U of A is hosting a drone demonstration near the Agricultural Park off Garland Avenue, just north of the university, on Wednesday, Aug. 30, at 10:30 a.m. In case of bad weather, a backup day has been scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 31. This thrilling event will provide a hands-on opportunity to witness cutting-edge technology in action, including its applications in architecture, engineering, operations, supply chain management, agriculture, geospatial analysis and other fields.

The demonstration will take place at Garland Farm, an experimental farm that aims to solve critical agricultural challenges. Drones can be used in agriculture for crop monitoring, yield prediction and disease detection, among other things. The university is at the forefront of this innovative technology, and the event will showcase its research and advancements in remote sensing, supply chain management, inspection and the building of 3D digital twins.

"Drones and their sophisticated sensors, such as LiDAR, thermal and multi-spectral cameras, and high-resolution mapping cameras, enable us to map and monitor the natural and built environment with greater precision and frequency than ever before," said Jackson Cothren, director of the Center for Advanced Spatial Technologies at the U of A. "We are still learning how to manage and effectively use the massive amounts of data generated by these systems."

The event features demonstrations of different drone types and their functions. University professors and researchers will give presentations on how drones can increase efficiency in various engineering and technology fields. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with drones and to ask questions about potential career paths in this exciting field.

Students interested in agriculture, engineering or any discipline are highly encouraged to attend. Parking will be available near the Agricultural Park pavilion.

"Drone technology is revolutionizing the way we do things, and the University of Arkansas is leading the charge in this field," said Richard Ham, associate director of the Master of Science in Engineering Management and Operations Management. "We are thrilled to showcase our work and inspire the next generation of leaders in this exciting field."

Additionally, the university is supporting an FAA Drone Safety meeting at Thaden Field in Bentonville on Aug. 29. Zipline will present changes in their operation, and there will be professional development for all pilots. Sign up for the event here:  FAA Drone Safety meeting.

If you do not already have a faasafety.gov account, you will need to sign up to register for the event.

The U of A is dedicated to providing students with opportunities to explore emerging technologies and develop skills that will prepare them for the future workforce. This drone demonstration day is a prime example of the university's commitment to innovation and excellence in education.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn about drone technology in agriculture and explore potential career paths in this dynamic field. Join us on Aug. 30 at Garland Farm for an unforgettable experience. The event is free, but registration is required to help us plan for the event. Register now!