There are drones for all sorts of purposes these days, but these Japanese ones are built for agriculture, and they have one very specific job.
There are about a million and one different uses for drones these days. Many people use them for recreational purposes or photographic endeavors, while certain government and military factions utilize more technologically advanced versions of drones for monitoring or engaging enemies in warfare.
The devices are being used more in the agricultural realm as well, with many larger operations utilizing the tech to aid with everything from irrigation and spraying to the dispersal of fertilizers. Meanwhile, Japanese manufacturer NTT e-Drone Technology has been developing a product designed for a singular, but vital purpose in the agricultural arena: the prevention of a deadly, yet relatively common disease that affects poultry and other forms of livestock. That illness is the dreaded Avian Flu, which has been a recurring problem in the Asian agricultural industry.
The virus affected more than 3 million chickens throughout Japan’s Chiba prefecture alone in January and February of 2025, and soon spread to nearly 5 million in total.
