The robotics researchers from CSIRO developed two autonomous ResQu miniature helicopters to deal with the dreaded “purple plague” (Miconia calvescens) faster and more easily.“Miconia is among the worst of a number of weeds that pose a significant threat to Australia’s precious rainforest remnants,” Dr Gary Fitt said. “Unless detected and eradicated early, they can cause irreversible damage to our native plant and animal populations.”“In the biosecurity space effective surveillance is critical – we need to be able to detect incursions quickly and accurately. Technologies like the autonomous helicopter or other autonomous platforms provide us with another tool in the fight against these biological invasions,” he explained.The two helicopters, small enough to fit the back of a van, can autonomously fly, navigate obstacles and record locations and images for the biosecurity staff to search for the weeds. The process is more simple now, since before this, the researchers had to fly a real helicopter and eyeball the weeds themselves in the thickness of the forest.The technology might also have applications in farming or border patrolling, since the helicopters can be quickly dispatched to search specific areas and transmit informations back for people to take actions.