Precision Tech Gets Smarter

Artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and computer vision are quickly becoming more than just buzz words, especially when it comes to the rapidly advancing world of sprayer technology. It seems that every brand out there, from Amazone to John Deere, has its smart sprayer on the market, but understanding how the technology behind the “smart” aids your operations can be vital when choosing the right one for your needs.

When discussing smart sprayers, the leading benefit thrown around is savings. However, after diving into CNH’s new Sense and Act technology, it seems that the benefits for farmers using a smart sprayer can go beyond the wallet, and into the quality of the yield. 

CNH Sense and Act

Case IH’s SenseApply, a new precision spraying technology launched through integration with Augmenta from CNH, steps up the meaning of smart sprayers, giving farmers more abilities when it comes to application in their fields. SenseApply is a cab-mounted camera that sees an area 50 feet ahead and 140 feet in width, integrating into Case IH technology with booms up to 135 feet.

It offers three multi-application uses: Live Variable Rate Application (VRA), green-on-brown spot spray and Base + Boost mode. With five Live VRA modes, the camera can create the variable rate prescription in a variety of applications and stages of crop cycles as the vehicle moves through fields in real time, up to 25 mph.

For herbicide applications, green-on-brown spot spray or Base + Boost modes can be applied to weeds in fallow or bare fields to give operators assurance that every weed is being treated with the right amount of product.

Green-on-brown spot spray uses the camera to target green weeds and activate the corresponding nozzles to precisely spray the location as the applicator passes above.

The Base + Boost mode, however, applies a base rate across the entire area, boosting the amount required when the camera and technology detect areas with higher weed pressure.

“You're not spraying as high a rate over everything,” says Alex Caldwell, product marketing manager for application equipment at CNH North America.

“You're essentially sorting the weeds by size. If it's big enough that the camera can see it, we're spraying a little bit extra to make sure we get a good, efficient kill across the field.”

Base + Boost mode can offer value in areas where residual plant matter may cover weeds that are not in view of the camera, spraying at an even rate across the field. While this mode doesn’t save product, it can provide operators with the knowledge that they are hitting everything with the right amount to save the quality and care of their crops in the future.

The use of AI and machine learning helps to ensure that the product and chemistry is not wasted on areas with a lower concentration of weeds or low-potential areas, while optimizing input for the high-potential crop zones. Depending on the type of sprayer and the technology used, multiple application modes can be useful for different crops.

SenseApply has several crops approved for use, but more are in development. When using the technology, operators can also record key variables such as weather, chemical mix and the area applied during setup.

Operator Control

The rise of AI may induce hesitation in some operators, but many smart technologies allow users full control over the application process, resulting in a relatively firsthand system while promoting operational efficiency and ease of use.

By including a maximum, minimum and safe rate that are customizable to the job at hand, operators are still able to control how much product is being used. This is crucial when the system may not be able to function at its best, such as at slower speeds or when the angle of the sun affects the cameras or sensors.

“The operator still has some skin in the game in setting those boundaries up at the start of the job,” Caldwell noted.

“And it's extremely hands-off. All they are doing is applying and spraying the same way that they've done for years and years with this technology, with the one extra interface of tracking the job that it's doing.”

Some sprayers, such as the technology from CNH, allows users to change the rate of spray directly from the cab if they find themselves disagreeing with the system.

For users switching to intelligent technology, Caldwell notes that switching to SenseApply from Case IH is simply just an extra window in the job setup process. When switching brands, it may only feel like switching smartphones. Most technologies may follow similar outlines and systems, making it easier for the user to transition.

The Future of Smart Sprayers

There are constant updates to the smart sprayer market and the offerings available to farmers and operators. More crops are being added to CNH’s machine learning models for use, and as CNH prepares to make the technology available for market in the fall of this year, further improvements are expected from incoming feedback.

As brown-on-green spray technology sees more success, green-on-green is also revealing itself in the market as a valuable tool. This AI technology, such as that used in Greeneye Technology and AmaSpot by Amazone, can identify different plant species based on color, shape and other characteristics using their sensors and spray the product accordingly.

Proving to be an Asset

Until then, some farmers and operators have already seen success by switching to smart sprayer technologies.

Caldwell reflected on a story from a user in eastern Washington, in the grassland country, that was working with SenseApply. During one of the most crucial spraying windows with ideal weather conditions and time-sensitive applications, the system crashed due to a bug in the update. This is normal in testing phases, but it came at one of the worst times. However, the user parked their applicator and waited for the update from the engineers to fix the bug.

“The sprayer itself still functioned,” Caldwell said. “They could have still gone and completed that work with the broadcast application. But in two or three months with a product that was far from finished, they already had the confidence that this was so valuable. This is more valuable than the time lost.”

In the end, the user got back up and running in a day and a half. The smart technology proved so significant to their operations that instead of manually spraying the fields, (as they would have done before), they chose to let that ideal time window slip by for the benefits of the technology.

Caldwell also noted that many customers may buy their technology for one or two of the modes but find themselves surprised and pleased when other features can benefit their operations even further.

As the AI and machine learning behind smart sprayers develop, operators may find that other features on their favorite technology, or the smart technology offered by their preferred brand, can offer so much more to their yield and return on investment.

This technology is no longer a promise of the future, but a range of tools that many farmers already find themselves relying on.