Due to the tedious, time-consuming, and hazardous nature of traditional crop disease detection methods, the Autonomous Societally Inspired Mission Oriented Vehicles – Harmonized Aerial Watch and Knowledge-Based Survey (ASIMOV-HAWKS) has developed an automated solution to optimize agricultural practices.
At a research, development, and innovation symposium held on the second day of the Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) in SOCCSKSARGEN, Dr. Jose Ildefonso U. Rubrico and his team from ASIMOV-HAWKS presented their Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology—HAWKS AI.
HAWKS AI is an AI-enhanced decision support system designed for rapid, cutting-edge aerial crop management, disease detection, and related applications. Its features include advanced, reconfigurable technologies for automated functionality, aerial survey and mapping, and decision support systems for enhanced user experience.
“An important part of our mandate is to provide relevant solutions to persistent challenges in productivity sectors, such as the agri-banana industry,” Dr. Rubrico explained, emphasizing ASIMOV-HAWKS’ role in developing AI-enhanced robotic technologies.
To provide context, the Philippines has been the second-largest banana producer since 2018, with 3.3 million metric tons. However, reports indicate that total banana exports have declined from 2019 to 2022 due to the spread of Panama disease, high production costs, and rising fertilizer expenses.
Through HAWKS AI, drones equipped with cameras capture real-time visuals, enabling crop disease detection, crop inventory, and other related applications. A key feature of the technology is its ability to detect individuals and generate measurements, such as crop count.
The AI technology is also applicable in other productivity areas, performing optimized searches and mapping regions efficiently.
ASIMOV-HAWKS serves as the aerial component of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) flagship research and development program in AI and robotics. It is funded by DOST’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) and is currently being implemented by the DOST – Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI).
The symposium also featured discussions on farming precision and waste management by Engr. Lorilyn P. Daquioag, CEO of Waste4Good Technologies, and the development of Halal-compliant restructured goat meat products by Dr. Cyril John A. Domingo, Director of the Institute for Food Innovation and Nutrition at Sultan Kudarat State University. Meanwhile, Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda, Executive Director of DOST’s National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), introduced their agency and its projects. (By Kesha Shua V. Leosala, DOST-STII, Photos from DOST Region 12)