Every year, farmers across Europe face a threat that is as old as agriculture itself, birds. For farms located near water, bird damage can wipe out 50 to 70% of an entire crop. On a wheat field of 100 hectares, that translates to losses exceeding 50,000 EUR per season. Traditional bird-scaring methods lik scarecrows or noise cannons, offer only temporary relief. Birds are intelligent; they adapt, they return, and they keep eating.

NAUST Robotics was founded on a simple but powerful insight: the solution to this ancient problem might be flying above it.

The Technology: Autonomous, Intelligent, Always On

At the heart of NAUST Robotics' solution is a completely autonomous drone platform that detects birds and responds in real time, without any human intervention after the initial installation.

Here's how it works:

• A landing platform sits on the field, acting as both a charging station and a shelter for the drone
• When birds are detected, the drone launches automatically and flies over the affected area
• Onboard speakers emit specific sounds that birds recognize as danger signals, driving them away from crops and back toward natural feeding areas
• The entire cycle — detection, launch, scare, return, recharge — operates without a farmer needing to lift a finger

What makes the system particularly effective is its unpredictability. Unlike static noise cannons or scarecrows, birds cannot adapt to a moving, reactive drone. The system responds differently each time, keeping birds consistently at bay.

Farmers can monitor and manage the system remotely through a dedicated mobile application, checking real-time status and adjusting settings from anywhere, at any time.

Beyond Bird Scaring: A Platform for the Future

While bird scaring is NAUST Robotics' initial focus, the platform is designed with scalability in mind. The company envisions equipping the drone with high-resolution cameras to support crop monitoring; collecting periodic aerial imagery that enables farmers to assess field health, detect early signs of disease, and optimize the use of chemical pesticides. The potential downstream benefits are significant: less waste, lower costs, and a more sustainable approach to modern farming.

Longer-term applications include surveillance, infrastructure inspections, and precision agriculture. Therefore, all fields where a fully autonomous, legislation-compliant drone platform would represent a meaningful step forward.

Looking Ahead

With a new drone design underway, featuring longer flight time and a waterproof frame, and autonomous navigation and landing algorithms in active testing, NAUST Robotics is methodically closing the gap between prototype and commercial product. The team is also actively seeking external investment to accelerate development and bring the platform to market.

Their vision is clear and grounded: affordable, autonomous drone solutions that automate simple tasks and save time for farmers.