AI-driven crop intelligence and long-endurance autonomous drones unite to deliver deeper field insights and improvements in operational productivity
SANTA CLARA, Calif. and WESTFIELD, Ind., Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SiFly Aviation, Inc., a U.S.-based manufacturer of long-endurance autonomous VTOL drones, and Taranis, a U.S.-based leader in AI-powered, leaf-level crop intelligence, today announced the launch of a joint 2026 Field Validation Program focused on validating a new operational model for large-scale aerial crop intelligence.
The Field Validation Program will validate how long endurance autonomous flight, combined with AI-driven agronomic analysis, can improve coverage efficiency, data consistency, and operational scalability across large agricultural regions—addressing one of the most persistent challenges in modern crop intelligence: collecting high-quality data efficiently at scale.
"This program reflects a shared focus on solving real operational challenges in agriculture," said Joey Cline, Vice President of Operations at Taranis. "As farms, cooperatives and retailers continue to scale, it's critical to explore new mission models that improve how efficiently data is collected and transformed into insights—without adding complexity for growers or advisors."
SiFly's Q12 long-endurance drone delivers up to 3 hours of flight time while supporting advanced sensor payloads that enable higher-resolution imaging and greater per-mission productivity. Designed for persistent, wide-area operations, the Q12 allows large agricultural regions to be surveyed in fewer flights with more consistent results—fundamentally changing the economics of aerial data collection at scale.
"When aircraft can fly for hours instead of minutes, the entire model for aerial data collection changes," said Brian Hinman, Founder and CEO at SiFly. "By working alongside Taranis in this Field Validation Program, we're validating how long-endurance flight enables more consistent, large-scale data capture—covering more acres per mission, improving data quality, and reducing the operational friction that has historically limited agricultural intelligence."
During the 2026 growing season, the companies will jointly assess mission outcomes, operational efficiency, and data analysis performance under real-world field conditions. Learnings from the Field Validation Program will inform each company's future innovation roadmap as they continue to support scalable, data-driven decision-making in U.S. agriculture.
About Taranis:
Taranis is the world's leading AI-powered crop intelligence platform, providing ag advisors and their growers with data-driven agronomic recommendations that drive farm management and input decisions. Through full-service, leaf-level data capture, Taranis' insights and services allow growers to accelerate decision making, simplify management, maximize profitability, and enhance their sustainable farming practices.
Since its founding, Taranis has worked with the world's top agricultural retailers and crop protection companies, serving millions of acres for customers in the United States and Europe. To learn more, visit www.taranis.com.
Media Contact:
Sarah Rang
Director of Marketing and Communications
Taranis
[email protected]
(317) 804-2031
About SiFly:
SiFly, headquartered in Santa Clara, California, delivers helicopter-like performance at drone economics through long-endurance, autonomous aerial systems. Its cloud-connected, US-made platforms enable persistent coverage for public safety, critical infrastructure inspection, and enterprise operations—unlocking faster response, broader coverage, and lower operating costs.
Discover more and request a demonstration at www.sifly.co.
Media Contact:
Taylor Vaughn
408-809-9538
[email protected]
SOURCE SiFly
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