New space race launched to get drones and robots attacking sustainability in agriculture sector

Drone flying over water. Photo / Getty Images.

A new space race has been launched to get drones and robots attacking sustainability in the agriculture sector.

Early New Zealand pioneers, polar explorer Ernest Shackleton, and American captain of industry Henry Ford were all referenced as the New Zealand Aerospace Challenge 2019 was kicked off in Christchurch today.

With a $30,000 cash prize up for grabs, the challenge seeks the brightest minds in New Zealand to harness the very latest space-based imagery, remote sensing, and unmanned aircraft (UA) technology to come up with cutting-edge approaches to detect or monitor water and soil pollution.

The launch was made at the brand new high-tech post-quake Christchurch city library Turanga this afternoon.

Mayor Lianne Dalziel said New Zealand's Garden City was an appropriate place to host the challenge as it rebuilds and transforms into a "21st century city of opportunity" which has exploration in its DNA, with links to Shackleton's voyages into an uncharted Antarctica.

Christchurch has an emerging and world-leading high-tech sector and Dalziel said the city aims to become known as a test bed for innovation.

"We want to be at the forefront of the space and advanced aviation sectors," she said.

"Our collaborative industry, strong high-tech manufacturing and agricultural sectors and open landscapes makes the city and surrounding region a drawcard for innovators nationally and globally to explore all we have to offer."

The challenge comes after a partnership between city council agency ChristchurchNZ and aeronautics and space giant Airbus.

Airbus Australia Pacific managing director Andrew Mathewson says New Zealand has a global reputation for innovation and "an approach to problem solving unlike anywhere else".

"We can't wait to see what ideas will come about as part of the challenge and how we can help solve a global problem," he said.

The ideas generated by the competition will have "real-world applications" for the agricultural sector, Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods said, along with spill-over benefits into other research and development intensive industries.

"Nearly half of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture, which is a central part of our economy," Woods said.

"It is absolutely vital that we leverage new technologies as we look for innovative solutions to global challenges like climate change."

On May 1, up to 20 "incubation participants" will be selected for a six-month programme where they will have access to Airbus data and expertise, mentorship from tech and agriculture specialists, and the use of testing solutions and guidance from Airways.

The challenge will culminate in national flight demos in Christchurch in October, with the winning team receiving a cash prize of $30,000, as well as start-up support and access to Airbus satellite data.