We mentioned earlier that an Oregon State University research project aimed at developing mini-choppers for nursery applications was among several projects that received grant funding from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. The dimunitive helicopters, weighing about 2 pounds and costing about $3,500 each, would be outfitted with digital cameras and used to automate the process of counting plant inventories. It’s an innovative project that has generated some excitement in the industry. No wonder it has recently caught the attention of the Associated Press. Other partners in the project include Jim Robbins of the University of Arkansas (formerly of OSU), and the University of Florida. The Oregon Association of Nurseries also has contributed funding.

University of Arkansas has a press release about it here. You can see first-person video of the helicopter in action here.