5G Biodrone

Herbal medicinal plants have been among the most valuable resources in medicine for centuries. However, their quality depends heavily on environmental conditions, cultivation, and harvest times. Together with Bionorica, we are therefore developing a new generation of so-called Biodrones, which enable precise and sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants using 5G connectivity and multispectral sensor systems.

At its core is a drone specifically optimised for sensitive plant cultures. It captures the vital status of plants from the air – entirely contact-free and therefore particularly gentle for delicate species like verbena, St. John's wort, or thyme. Equipped with high-resolution multispectral and hyperspectral sensors, it detects even minimal changes in chlorophyll content, moisture levels, or stress indicators. Thanks to 5G, the data is transmitted and analysed in real-time, allowing farmers and research teams to react immediately.

This approach allows for the first time a fully digital monitoring of large medicinal plant fields. The biodrone detects water deficits, fungal infections, pest pressure or nutrient deficiencies significantly earlier than the human eye. Instead of large-scale treatment, measures can be taken precisely where they are actually needed – a decisive contribution to more sustainable plant cultivation and a significant reduction in fertilisers and pesticides.

A particularly innovative feature is the ability to determine the optimal harvest time using the drone. The concentration of active ingredients in many medicinal plants fluctuates depending on sunlight, soil moisture, or developmental stage. Through continuous data collection, these fluctuations can be made visible, and the exact moment can be identified when the plant reaches its highest medicinal value. This leads to consistently higher active ingredient quality – a key advantage for the production of herbal medicines.

Overall, the collaboration with Bionorica shows how modern 5G technology and automated data analysis are shaping the future of herbal medicine. The 5G bio-drone combines scientific precision, sustainable agriculture, and digital innovation into a system that redefines both ecological and pharmaceutical standards. It enables resource-efficient management, improves crop quality, and creates comprehensive data that will elevate medicinal plant research to an entirely new level.

With projects like this, we are driving forward the digitalisation of the agricultural and pharmaceutical sectors – and demonstrating how secure, networked drone technology is becoming the basis for modern, responsible medicinal plant production.