ZenaTech’s ZenaDrone Advances Precision Agriculture Solutions with Initial Prototype and Start of Testing of IQ Octo Designed for Autonomous Drone-Based Spraying and Seeding
ZenaTech’s ZenaDrone unit has built a prototype IQ Octo agriculture drone and plans near-term field testing in Arizona.
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Rhea-AI Summary
ZenaTech (ZENA) announced that subsidiary ZenaDrone has completed the initial Version 1 prototype of the IQ Octo, an eight‑motor autonomous drone designed for precision spraying and seeding via Drone as a Service. Field testing of IQ Octo Version 1 is expected to begin at the company’s Arizona facility in the coming weeks.
The medium‑sized, battery‑powered octocopter is designed for flight times of approximately 20–25 minutes per charge and to carry payloads of up to 25 kilograms of seeds or liquid. Depending on mission requirements, it can be configured with either a liquid tank and spray nozzles or a seed hopper with a spreader, following programmed low‑altitude flight paths to apply treatments or distribute seeds at controlled rates with even coverage.
A planned Version 2 is expected to add solar panel maintenance capabilities, swarm operation, automated refilling, and a folding design. ZenaTech positions the IQ Octo as an expansion of its IQ Series and Drone as a Service offerings for agriculture and, in future versions, solar maintenance, and plans to provide further updates as development and testing milestones are reached.
Details
Market move: ZENA +3.66% in the Sep 3 session. precision agriculture prototype
On Sep 3, the day this news came out, ZENA closed 3.66% above the previous close. Argus tracked a peak move of +4.2% during that session. Our momentum scanner recorded 16 alerts for this stock that day.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Sep 3 session.
Key Figures
- Prototype version
- Version 1
- Initial IQ Octo prototype
- Drone motors
- 8 motors
- IQ Octo octocopter design
- Flight duration
- 20 to 25 minutes per charge
- IQ Octo Version 1
- Payload capacity
- Up to 25 kilograms
- Seeds or liquid
- Market growth
- Over 30% annual growth
- Precision agriculture over the next five years
- Future platform version
- Version 2
- Planned solar maintenance and additional capabilities
Historical Context
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ZenaDrone received an AgTech Breakthrough Award for precision agriculture solutions.
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ESM Software acquisition added users, recurring revenue, and a thirteenth SaaS brand.
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Cogswell Engineering acquisition expanded Canadian drone-enabled engineering and surveying capabilities.
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Management highlighted potential competitive benefits from new U.S. drone tariffs.
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ZenaWorx added digital terrain modeling and secured its first AI data-center customer.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
precision agriculture technical
drone as a service financial
octocopter technical
machine learning technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Medium-sized, eight-motor autonomous drone joins the IQ Series and ZenaTech’s Drone as a Service for planned precision agriculture and solar maintenance applications
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology solution provider specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that its ZenaDrone subsidiary has completed an initial Version 1 prototype of the IQ Octo, its new autonomous drone purpose-built for precision spraying and seeding via Drone as a Service. The IQ Octo is designed to precisely apply fertilizers and crop-protection products and to distribute seeds, helping farmers reduce input costs, avoid crop damage and soil compaction, access difficult terrain, and improve the efficiency of planting and treatment operations. The IQ Octo Version 1 is expected to begin field testing at the company’s Arizona facility in the coming weeks.
“Precision agriculture is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the drone industry, with market analysts predicting over
The IQ Octo Version 1 is a medium-sized autonomous drone built on an octocopter design with eight motors, part of ZenaDrone’s growing IQ Series. Battery powered, it is designed to fly for approximately 20 to 25 minutes per charge and to carry a payload of up to 25 kilograms of seeds or liquid. In addition to spraying and seeding, the platform’s Version 2 is expected to support solar panel maintenance applications, swarm capability, automated refilling, and a folding design. Depending on the mission, the agricultural configuration will either carry a liquid tank equipped with spray nozzles, or a hopper with a spreader for seeds. Following a programmed flight path, the drone is designed to fly low over fields and automatically apply liquid treatments or distribute seeds at controlled rates with even coverage.
Farmers use drones for spraying and seeding because they can apply products precisely where and when they are needed, including in wet fields, difficult terrain, and areas with standing crops. This can reduce chemical, seed, water, fuel, and labor requirements; prevent soil compaction and crop damage from heavy machinery; improve worker safety; and enable faster, more targeted treatment as part of a broader precision agriculture system.
The Company will provide further updates as additional development and testing milestones for the IQ Octo are achieved.
About ZenaTech
ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) is a technology company that specializes in AI autonomy drone platforms to transform commercial, government, and defense sectors. Its subsidiaries include drone manufacturing through ZenaDrone, a global Drone as a Service (DaaS) business, and an enterprise SaaS division of software brands. The Company is executing an acquisition-led DaaS roll-up strategy to digitize and automate legacy service industries like land surveys and inspections, driving drone-based scalable, recurring revenue growth. With an operating footprint spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia, ZenaTech is advancing AI drones for applications such as agriculture and logistics, as well as ISR, cargo, and counter-UAS for U.S. defense and NATO allies. The company is investing in next-generation technologies, including drone swarms, quantum computing, and advanced AI autonomy to capture long-term opportunities in key markets through its R&D initiatives.
About ZenaDrone
ZenaDrone, a subsidiary of ZenaTech, develops and manufactures AI-powered multifunction autonomous drone solutions integrating machine learning, predictive analytics, and advanced computing technologies, for government, defense, and industrial applications. This includes multifunctional drones for surveying, inspections, logistics, security, and defense applications. Its product portfolio under development includes the ZenaDrone 1000 for ISR defense and specialized cargo, the IQ Nano for indoor inventory management and security, the IQ Square for outdoor inspections and maintenance, the IQ Quad for land surveying, the IQ Aqua, for underwater applications, and the IQ Octo for precision agriculture. ZenaDrone operates three global manufacturing facilities in Arizona, Dubai, and Taiwan, and is advancing counter-UAS maritime interceptor drones and an integrated defense system.
Contacts for more information:
Company, Investors and Media:
Linda Montgomery
ZenaTech
312-241-1415
Investors:
Michael Mason
CORE IR
investors@zenatech.com
Safe Harbor
This press release and related comments by management of ZenaTech, Inc. include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws and applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance of ZenaTech and reflects management’s expectations and projections regarding ZenaTech’s growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “aim”, “seek”, “is/are likely to”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this document includes, but is not limited to ZenaTech’s expectations regarding its revenue, expenses, production, operations, costs, cash flows, and future growth; expectations with respect to future production costs and capacity; ZenaTech's ability to deliver products to the market as currently contemplated, including its drone products including ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Nano, IQ Square, IQ Quad, IQ Aqua, IQ Octo, IQ Glider, IQ Sphere, ZenaDrone 2000, Interceptor P-1 ; ZenaTech’s anticipated cash needs and it’s needs for additional financing; ZenaTech’s intention to grow the business and its operations and execution risk; expectations with respect to future operations and costs; the volatility of stock prices and market conditions in the industries in which ZenaTech operates; political, economic, environmental, tax, security, and other risks associated with operating in emerging markets; regulatory risks; unfavorable publicity or consumer perception; difficulty in forecasting industry trends; the ability to hire key personnel; the competitive conditions of the industry and the competitive and business strategies of ZenaTech; ZenaTech’s expected business objectives for the next twelve months; ZenaTech’s ability to obtain additional funds through the sale of equity or debt commitments; investment capital and market share; the ability to complete any contemplated acquisitions; changes in the target markets; market uncertainty; ability to access additional capital, including through the listing of its securities in various jurisdictions; management of growth (plans and timing for expansion); patent infringement; litigation; applicable laws, regulations, and any amendments affecting the business of ZenaTech.
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What did ZenaTech (ZENA) announce about the IQ Octo drone?
ZenaTech announced that its ZenaDrone subsidiary has completed the initial Version 1 prototype of the IQ Octo, an autonomous, eight‑motor drone designed for precision spraying and seeding via Drone as a Service. Field testing is expected to start soon at its Arizona facility.
What are the key specifications of the ZenaTech IQ Octo agriculture drone?
The IQ Octo Version 1 is a medium‑sized, battery‑powered octocopter with eight motors, designed to fly for about 20–25 minutes per charge and carry up to 25 kilograms of seeds or liquid. It can operate with either a liquid spray tank or a seed hopper configuration.
How is the IQ Octo drone from ZenaTech (ZENA) intended to be used in precision agriculture?
The IQ Octo is designed to follow programmed low‑altitude flight paths to apply fertilizers and crop‑protection products or distribute seeds at controlled rates with even coverage. The company states it aims to help farmers reduce input costs, limit soil compaction, access difficult terrain, and improve planting and treatment efficiency.
When will ZenaTech begin testing the IQ Octo autonomous drone?
ZenaTech expects IQ Octo Version 1 field testing to begin at its Arizona facility in the coming weeks. The company plans to provide further updates as additional development and testing milestones are achieved.
What features are planned for Version 2 of ZenaTech’s IQ Octo drone?
For Version 2, the company expects the IQ Octo platform to support solar panel maintenance applications, swarm capability, automated refilling, and a folding design. These planned features are intended to broaden use beyond agriculture into solar maintenance scenarios.
How does the IQ Octo fit into ZenaTech’s Drone as a Service strategy?
The IQ Octo joins ZenaDrone’s growing IQ Series and is designed for precision agriculture services delivered via Drone as a Service. ZenaTech indicates that this platform may create recurring service and data opportunities and further diversify its autonomous drone and services portfolio.