AERIUM and Hort Innovation Trials Demonstrate Breakthrough in Bird Management with RoBird™

Early field trial results demonstrate strong reduction in crop loss and bird pressure across Australian almond orchards.

AERIUM Analytics, in partnership with Hort Innovation, has released the first results from its ongoing three-year project advancing sustainable, drone-based bird deterrence solutions for Australian growers. The initial trials, conducted in almond orchards, demonstrate the effectiveness of AERIUM’s RoBird system in reducing crop losses and managing bird activity across high-pressure environments.

Led by AERIUM Analytics, the trials evaluated both operational performance and impact on crop outcomes. Results showed an 89% reduction in fruit loss within monitored trial blocks, alongside a 94% bird displacement rate following RoBird engagement.

“Beyond the initial results, what stands out is the system’s ability to shape bird behaviour over time. We observed increasing effectiveness throughout the trial period, with no signs of habituation. This is critical for growers, as it allows for sustained protection and a more strategic approach to managing bird pressure across the season. Looking ahead, we’re focused on expanding operations and supporting broader adoption of the system across Australian horticulture.” – Jill Viccars, Chief Growth Officer, AERIUM Analytics

“Managing bird pressure remains a significant challenge for many growers, and these early trials provide valuable insight into how emerging technologies like drone‑based deterrents may support that challenge over time. While the project is still in its early stages, the findings to date are helping us understand where solutions such as this could play a role alongside existing bird management strategies, and how they may be applied across different crops and production environments as the project progresses.” – Anthony Kachenko, General Manager Sustainability and Production R&D at Hort Innovation

The findings also highlight key operational learnings that will guide the next phase of the project. In Phase 2, trials will shift toward more concentrated management approaches across crops such as pome fruit, cherries and summer fruit, allowing for longer engagement periods and clearer demonstration of impact. The program will also expand toward managing larger production areas and further integrate RoBird into existing bird management strategies used by growers.

Together, AERIUM and Hort Innovation continue to advance data-driven, scalable approaches to bird control that strengthen productivity and resilience across Australia’s horticulture industry.

This project (AS24007) is funded through Hort Innovation Frontiers with co-investment from AERIUM Analytics and contributions from the Australian Government.

Image 1: RoBird™ in flight above large-scale Australian orchards.
Image credit: AERIUM Analytics

Image 2: Field deployment — RoBird™ launch during Australian orchard operations.
Image credit: AERIUM Analytics