Intelligent Grazing UAV Based on Airborne Depth Reasoning

Abstract

The existing precision grazing technology helps to improve the utilization rate of livestock to pasture, but it is still at the level of “collectivization” and cannot provide more accurate grazing management and control. (1) Background: In recent years, with the rapid development of agent-related technologies such as deep learning, visual navigation and tracking, more and more lightweight edge computing cell target detection algorithms have been proposed. (2) Methods: In this study, the improved YOLOv5 detector combined with the extended dataset realized the accurate identification and location of domestic cattle; with the help of the kernel correlation filter (KCF) automatic tracking framework, the long-term cyclic convolution network (LRCN) was used to analyze the texture characteristics of animal fur and effectively distinguish the individual cattle. (3) Results: The intelligent UAV equipped with an AGX Xavier high-performance computing unit ran the above algorithm through edge computing and effectively realized the individual identification and positioning of cattle during the actual flight. (4) Conclusion: The UAV platform based on airborne depth reasoning is expected to help the development of smart ecological animal husbandry and provide better precision services for herdsmen.