The beginning of the month saw local agri startup Aerobotics take a significant step forward in its drone-based technology.

The company, which has designed a smart scouting platform for farmers, is now capable of servicing a piece of land that’s 170 hectares large.

This latest progression in technology now means that Aerobotics is able to detect diseases and pests in a far bigger piece of farmland, with the company now boasting 40 percent of South Africa’s macadamia nut 20 percent of citrus fruit farms utilising their software.

Now the technology is expanding to those in the Stellenbosch vineyeards.

“Having worked with numerous tree crop farmers, we recognise the potential of our solution for the world’s winemakers and citrus farmers,” noted CEO James Paterson at an event held at the Boshoff Wine Estate earlier this month.

Demonstrating their technology in action, the Aerobotics drone cruised at an altitude of 80 metres above ground as it scanned the entire Boschoff Wine Estate in roughly 20 minutes.

The company then says its software was able to produce actionable data points for the vineyard in a week’s time.

This improved scouting ability comes at a time where Aerobotics aims to increase its operations, launching their first US venture at the Florida Cirtus Expo in Fort Meyers.

“The US market is a key one for Aerobotics as we need to prove that our product is the best pest and disease management tool for some of the largest citrus Growers in the world,” adds COO Andrew Burdock.

With Aerobotics one of the more promising startups on the local scene, the time will soon come when it’ll no longer be considered a small business.