On 10 June 2025 we had a Drone Industry Event at the Ilam Homestead with our researchers and industry. This event included talks by our key research teams, University of Canterbury Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering Departments, plus University of Auckland.

Our project has progressed in the past year. The University of Auckland has been doing testing on our new planetary hex drone up in Auckland. The University of Canterbury team have designed a chainsaw attachment for the drone which cuts branches by clamping on and a mini chainsaw slicing through the branch. Our regular pruner also has more accuracy.

Sam Schofield did an impressive demonstration of the chainsaw tool, plus pruner. Afterwards there were useful discussions with industry regarding the project. All in all, it was a very successful event.