The final event of the AKIA innovation project (use of artificial intelligence in afforestation projects), which was carried out in cooperation with the Franz Mayr-Melnhof-Saurau forestry company and micromacro GmbH, took place on September 17, 2024. The micromacro GmbH developed the software and AI that was used in the project. The event offered comprehensive insights into the results and progress of the project in two exciting parts.

The first part of the event began with an impressive demo flight by the Franz Mayr-Melnhof-Saurau forestry company, during which the innovative young plant recognition system was demonstrated in practice. Particularly impressive: the data collected during the flight was analysed directly on site by micromacro GmbH using its specially developed AI. This live analysis made it possible to present the results immediately afterwards and demonstrate the performance of the AI-based technology under real conditions.

In the second part, the project results were presented in detail. The tests in Frohnleiten aimed to evaluate the positioning accuracy of drones under different conditions. Different types of drones and different flight altitudes (20, 40 and 80 metres) with and without an RTK system were used. Surprisingly, it was found that the flight altitude had no influence on the precision of the positioning. However, higher flight altitudes led to faster and more efficient data acquisition.

In addition to the technical results, the legal framework conditions for the detection of young plants determined as part of the project were also presented. In this context, scenarios such as ‘plant treatment in the forest’, ‘plant transport in the forest’ and ‘pruning of competing plants’ were analysed. These findings were incorporated into the creation of risk and conflict maps, which will serve as a valuable decision-making basis for future reforestation projects.

The event not only offered an intensive professional exchange between the project partners, but also the opportunity to experience the practical benefits of drone technology in forestry at close quarters. We would like to thank everyone involved for their dedicated support and successful collaboration in this forward-looking project!