Key Takeaways
- Pyka received a follow-on order from SLC Agrícola for additional Pelican 2 autonomous aircraft.
- The order follows a successful commercial deployment during the previous growing season.
- Pelican 2 demonstrated operational efficiency, spray quality, and reliability at scale.
- Independent testing was conducted in collaboration with AgroEfetiva.
- The expansion strengthens Pyka’s presence in Brazil’s large-scale agriculture market.
Pyka Expands Commercial Deployment With SLC Agrícola
Pyka, a robotics company specializing in commercially proven autonomous aircraft, announced a follow-on order from SLC Agrícola, one of Brazil’s largest agricultural producers, for an undisclosed number of Pelican 2 autonomous spray aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled ahead of the upcoming growing season and will support expanded operations across multiple farms.
The new order follows a full season of commercial use in which SLC Agrícola deployed the Pelican 2 at one of its largest farming operations in Brazil. According to the companies, the aircraft demonstrated consistent performance in large-scale aerial application under demanding field conditions.
Operational Performance Validated in Commercial Farming Conditions
During the previous season, SLC Agrícola and Pyka conducted extensive spray testing in collaboration with AgroEfetiva, an independent research and consulting firm focused on pesticide application technologies. The trials evaluated spray quality, reliability, and operational efficiency compared with conventional aerial and ground-based systems.
“Our partnership with Pyka has exceeded expectations,” said Ronei Sandri Sana, Digital Agriculture Manager at SLC Agrícola. “Pelican 2 proved its ability to deliver reliable crop protection on a nightly basis in demanding field conditions. Based on the results we’ve seen this season, we are expanding our fleet to continue driving innovation and productivity across our operations.”
Dr. Fernando Kassis Carvalho, researcher at AgroEfetiva, noted that the aircraft delivered spray performance comparable to conventional large aircraft while offering additional operational flexibility. He highlighted the system’s ability to operate in wet conditions and perform nighttime applications to target pests with nocturnal behavior.
Pelican 2 Capabilities Support Large-Scale Agriculture
The Pelican 2 features a 300-liter payload, fully autonomous flight capability, and a work rate of up to 100 hectares per hour. Pyka describes it as the largest autonomous agricultural aircraft authorized for commercial operation at this scale. Its electric propulsion system and autonomous design are intended to reduce operational constraints associated with traditional aerial spraying.
“The follow-on order from SLC Agrícola is a major validation of Pelican 2 in the field,” said Michael Norcia, Co-Founder and CEO of Pyka. “It shows that autonomous electric aviation can deliver real-world impact at the scale of some of the largest growers in the world.”
Strengthening Pyka’s Presence in Brazil
Brazil represents one of the world’s most significant agricultural markets, particularly for large-scale row crops such as cotton and soybeans. The expanded agreement with SLC Agrícola reinforces Pyka’s commercial footprint in the region and reflects growing interest in autonomous aerial systems as part of modern farm operations.
As deployment scales across additional farms, Pyka and SLC Agrícola plan to continue using autonomous aircraft to support efficiency, consistency, and productivity in large-scale agricultural production systems.
2 Comments