Using technology in agriculture has always been one of the important factors that resulted in innovation in the field and constant evolution of the agricultural management.
It has been like that since the GPS and other agricultural technologies started to be used in the crop fields. Now, Artificial Intelligence (AI) boosts this progress.
One of the main AI applications in agribusiness is on agricultural machines, in a digital transformation process led by the pioneer companies in Precision Agriculture.
Pioneering in Brazil in this area, Stara developed an agricultural technology with Artificial Intelligence with ONE Smart Spray, a joint venture between Bosch and BASF. Through the partnership between the companies, the technology was incorporated to the Stara self-propelled sprayer - Imperador 3000 and 4000, having a spot spraying system.
Thus, having this remarkable feature integrated into the agricultural machine, the Imperador Eco Spray agricultural sprayer can apply herbicide selectively only where there are weeds.
This is a successful example of the Artificial Intelligence application in agriculture. In this article, you are going to learn some AI application on agricultural machines that are taking the field operations to a higher level.
What is the AI in agribusiness?
Using Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture allows machines and systems to make decisions based on data collected from the soil, weather data, and agriculture procedures data. Technologies such as neural networks and computing vision are applied to improve the agricultural machines performance, delivering significant advance for crop field management.
Advantages of the Artificial intelligence in Agriculture
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Productivity increase
Higher precision in the agricultural activities and better usage of the inputs.
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Lower input costs
Savings in chemicals, fertilizers, and fuel
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More sustainable managements in the field
Smart pieces of equipment help to reduce water and chemical waste, reducing the environment impact and increasing the sustainability in operations.
As for the agricultural machines, the technology with on-board AI allows the selective application of inputs in the crop field, among them the agricultural chemicals.
For instance, Stara Imperador Eco Spray, the Artificial Intelligence system sends the command to activate the spray nozzles of the agricultural machine individually, activating the jet of product only on the targeted plant and turning it off afterwards.
The outcome: reduction in the agricultural products usage, more sustainable managements, less expenses with inputs for the crop field, and soil preservation.
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Allowing the decision making based on data
Using Artificial Intelligence in agriculture enables you to collect and analyse information from different sources in seconds, such as the images detected by the cameras installed on agricultural machines.
Sensors with AI can collect data about the soil, creating precise maps and instructing on the application of fertilizers and substances for soil regulation.
Thus, the operator receives instructions for operations in real time by the agricultural monitor installed in the machine cab, helping with decision making and allowing a more productive operation. 
Agricultural sprayer with AI: Imperador Eco Spray
Through a Stara partnership between ONE Smart Spray - a joint venture between Bosch and BASF, the Eco Spray technology was integrated to Imperador 3000 and 4000, comprising the remarkable features already existing in the traditional version of the machine - the spot spraying. This technology applies the agricultural chemical selectively, only where there are weeds.
Every camera installed on the sprayer takes 15 pictures per second. Thus, on a spray boom having 37 cameras, 555 pictures are registered per second. The pictures are processed and the machine decides, in milliseconds, whether applying on that spot or not.
“When the farmer is applying at a single rate on the entire length of the spray boom, it is not enough to eliminate all the undesired plants that end up being resistant. Therefore, the Eco Spray sprayer can apply a higher herbicide meter to control that weed through the spot spraying.” Mr. Cristiano Paim Buss, Stara Research and Development Director
Check out the main advantages of using artificial intelligence (AI) on the Stara agricultural sprayer Imperador Eco Spray:
1. Input Savings
- Significant reduction of the agricultural chemicals usage, as the application is carried out through spot spraying. In other words, the application is applied only where there are weeds.
2. Sustainability and Reduction of the Environment Impact
- Fewer chemical products are used, reducing the negative impacts in the soil and water resources.
- Water saving, reducing the need for transport and high-volume storage needs.
- Higher control of the chemicals usage, avoiding the resistance of weeds and providing a more sustainable management.
3. Increasing the Operating Efficiency
- Real time application with decision making in milliseconds thanks to the advanced processing of the images and the AI.
- Spraying applications at speeds up 20 km/h without impairing the precision.
- Allowing nighttime applications due to the technology of embed flash lights, which is perfect to reduce drifts and improve the product absorption.
4. Precision and Agronomic Intelligence
- The advanced camera systems that capture 555 images per second, delivering exceptional performance on both application modules: pre-emergent (“green over brown”) and post- emergent (“green over green”).
- In different levels of sensitivity, that can be activated according to the farmer’s strategy, considering the size of the weeds in the application area.
- Allowing specific metering for more resistant weeds, increasing the efficiency, and avoiding waste.
5. Improvement in Logistics and Cost Reduction
- Reducing the storage and transport of inputs
- Fewer sprayer supplying processes, optimizing the operation time in the crop field.
- Less labor required for supplying and logistics.
6. Integrated Technology and Technical Support
- The Eco Spray System is integrated at the factory, which ensures the full operation and efficiency of the sprayer, and durability and safety.
- A complete Stara technical assistance through Conecta, avoiding compatibility issues between the components of different manufacturers.
- The solution was developed in a partnership between Bosch and Basf, ensuring high reliability and innovation.
According to the Research and Development Director, Cristiano Paim Buss, the partnership with these huge companies also qualifies the technical support provided to the farmer, even at far places.
Thus, the Imperador Eco Spray sprayer makes available advantages as much for operations in the crop field as in the technical and sustainable management, making the purchasing strategic for farmers that seek innovation and efficiency in the field.
Conclusion
Artificial Intelligence is transforming the operations in the field, making the operation higher precise, efficient, and sustainable. The AI applications on agricultural machines are just starting, and the future promises even more innovations that will benefit the farmers and the environment. Stara, the larger manufacturer of agricultural machine in Latin America, leads this revolution, providing solutions that incorporate the Artificial intelligence in Precision Agriculture, ensuring positive results and constant evolution.
Did you like the hints and want to find out the agricultural machine that best suits your crop field?
Stop by a Stara Dealer and find the most suitable equipment to boost your crop production.
