Dr Fernando Vanegas Alvarez awarded Advanced Queensland Industry Research Fellowship Grant!

Congratulations to QUT Centre for Robotics AI Dr Fernando Vanegas Alvarez who has received a $240,000 Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship grant. His project focuses on using drone-collected imagery and AI to map and classify invasive plant species. Partnering with the Sunshine Coast Council and Aspect UAV Imaging, Dr Vanegas Alvarez aims to develop a standardised framework for data collection and analysis, which will help land managers better understand the spread of invasive plants like camphor laurel, cat’s claw creeper, and madeira vine.

Invasive plants can damage infrastructure, harm agriculture, and threaten native ecosystems. Dr Vanegas Alvarez will use drones equipped with ultra-high resolution multispectral cameras to capture detailed aerial images, enabling them to detect individual plant species over large areas. This high-precision mapping will support more informed decision-making for land management and help control the spread of harmful plant species.

The project promises to provide valuable insights into how invasive species spread, ultimately enabling more effective resource use and better management strategies to protect ecosystems. Well done Fernando!

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