Streaming and 3D mapping of AGRI-data on mobile devices

A mobile app for delivery of context aware data for crop monitoring and scouting is presented.Data intensive streaming methods were evaluated for delivering in-field AGRI-data.Customisable interactive 3D visualisation methods were evaluated for displaying AGRI-data.Testing highlights that different users prefer different 3D interactive visualisation methods.Testing highlights that data streaming and rendering is possible in low connectivity environments. Farm monitoring and operations generate heterogeneous AGRI-data from a variety of different sources that have the potential to be delivered to users on the go and in the field to inform farm decision making. A software framework capable of interfacing with existing web mapping services to deliver in-field farm data on commodity mobile hardware was developed and tested. This raised key research challenges related to: robustness of data steaming methods under typical farm connectivity scenarios, and mapping and 3D rendering of AGRI-data in an engaging and intuitive way. The presentation of AGRI-data in a 3D and interactive context was explored using different visualisation techniques; currently the 2D presentation of AGRI- data is the dominant practice, despite the fact that mobile devices can now support sophisticated 3D graphics via programmable pipelines. The testing found that WebSockets were the most reliable streaming method for high resolution image/texture data. From our focus groups there was no single visualisation technique that was preferred demonstrating that a range of methods is a good way to satisfy a large user base. Improved 3D experience on mobile phones is set to revolutionize the multimedia market and a key challenge is identifying useful 3D visualisation methods and navigation tools that support the exploration of data driven 3D interactive visualisation frameworks for AGRI-data.