ABZ’s ag drones are the first to use this military-grade laser sensing

ABZ Innovation, a drone innovation and manufacturing company based out of Hungary, has unveiled an advancement for its agricultural sector machines that incorporates LiDAR-based situational awareness sensors. LiDAR generates a high-resolution 3-D map of the field in real time and is vital to accurately following terrain and avoiding obstacles such as electrical wires, poles, and trees, while maintaining the right distance from crops for efficient spraying.

“This allows ABZ drones to detect obstacles with unforeseen accuracy and continuously adjust their height to meet the specific needs of each treatment,” the company said in its announcement. “The result is a safer, more precise, and efficient solution for agricultural drone operations.”

The company said this is the world’s first LiDAR-powered drone system.

LiDAR stands for light detection and ranging, and it’s a technology that’s already commonly applied to military and transportation industries — yet it is growing in its capabilities for agriculture. Also referred to as active laser scanning, a LiDAR system works by emitting light from a rapidly firing laser, using the “pulse” to the ground and back to best measure distances to vegetation or obstacles. 

ABZ explains that traditional radar systems have poor resolution, making it difficult to detect small obstacles like wires and to measure the correct distance from uneven canopies, especially in vineyards and orchards where canopy heights vary. This hinders both safety, precision and efficiency.

The company says its LiDAR advancements allow its drones to maintain optimal height for even, efficient spraying that promotes sustainability. Its drones also create high-resolution mapping that enhances situational awareness and allows for future updates to adjust height and flight paths based on 3-D terrain patterns. Because it uses 3-D surroundings as reference points, these drones even function well indoors where GPS conditions are poor. 



ABZ Innovation has three drones that are part of its agricultural lineup: 

• L30: This drone is designed for medium to larger farms and is capable of spraying up to 21 hectares in just 1 hour. It’s ideal for orchards, vineyards, and cereals.
• L10 Pro: This is designed for farmers with up to around 150 hectares, it’s also a perfect tool for training and service providers working with smaller farms.
• L10 ESP: This drone is tailored toward Spanish farmers and the smaller farms in Southwest Europe.

“With a strong focus on enhancing safety and precision, ABZ Innovation is paving the way for the future of drone technology in industrial applications,” the company stated.