Agricultural method and system using a high resolution sensing device for analyzing and servicing crops

A method for observing agricultural samples, comprising:

• receiving training data including a set of images representing normal agricultural samples annotated as such and abnormal agricultural samples annotated as such;
• training a classifier to distinguish between images of normal agricultural samples and abnormal agricultural samples based on the received training data;
• using an autonomous agricultural observation system suspended by an elevated cable or rail to acquire image data of an area below the elevated cable or rail, wherein at least a portion of the autonomous agricultural observation system is autonomously controlled based at least in part on the image data;
• and
• using the trained classifier to identify an agricultural abnormality within the image data acquired by the autonomous agricultural observation system;
• sending one or more autonomous vehicles of the autonomous agricultural observation system to acquire additional sensor data to help determine a cause of the identified agricultural abnormality.

A system for observing agricultural samples, comprising:

• a chassis suspended on an elevated cable or rail;
• an actuator disposed within the chassis for moving the chassis forward and backward along the elevated cable or rail;
• a camera mounted on or within the chassis and configured to acquire image data of an area below the elevated cable or rail including an agricultural sample;
• and
• a processor disposed within the chassis for autonomously controlling the actuator and the camera based at least in part on the image data, and using a trained classifier to identify an agricultural abnormality within the acquired image data, wherein the processor is configured to control the actuator to autonomously transfer the chassis from a first elevated cable or rail to a second elevated cable or rail.