Agricultural Sprayer Weed Mapping for Selective Multi-Product Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural sprayers lack the capability to selectively apply different types of agricultural products to varying types of weeds within a field, leading to inefficient use of resources and potential under or over-treatment of specific weed types.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a vehicle equipped with object sensors, location sensors, and a computing system that identifies and classifies weeds into different sets based on terrain conditions, generating a weed map and calculating the required volume of specific agricultural products for each region, allowing for precise application through nozzle assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single type of agricultural product is applied uniformly across the field, then the operation is simple and fast, but different weed types are not treated optimally
Solution Approach 1:
The field is segmented into multiple zones based on weed type identification. The computing system divides the treatment area into first and second regions, each requiring different agricultural products. This segmentation allows targeted treatment of different weed types while maintaining operational efficiency through automated zone-based application.
Solution Approach 2:
Different agricultural products are applied to different local areas based on the specific weed types present. The system adjusts the agricultural product composition locally according to the detected weed types, ensuring optimal treatment for each region rather than applying a uniform solution across the entire field.
2Reliability
If multiple agricultural products are applied to different weed types, then treatment efficacy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The agricultural applicator is designed with multi-functionality to handle different types of agricultural products. The system can selectively apply different products based on weed type identification, making a single device capable of performing multiple treatment functions. This reduces the need for separate equipment for different weed types while maintaining high treatment efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback to continuously monitor weed types and adjust the agricultural product application in real-time. The computing system receives data from sensors, identifies weed types, and automatically adjusts the spraying operation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism simplifies the complexity of managing multiple products by using automated decision-making based on real-time field conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensors and computing systems are added to identify and classify weeds, then selective application capability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical weed identification and classification with automated optical sensors and computing systems. Instead of manual inspection and decision-making, the patent uses sensor-based detection and algorithmic classification to identify and categorize weeds. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with automated systems improves selective application capability while the automation actually reduces operational complexity despite adding technological components.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for an agricultural operation includes a first vehicle having an object sensor configured to capture data associated with one or more objects within the field and a location sensor configured to capture data associated with a location of each of the one or more objects. A computing system is communicatively coupled with the object sensor and the location sensor. The computing system is configured to identify at least one of the one or more objects as a weed, classify each of the identified weeds in a first set of weeds or a second set of weeds, and generate a weed map based on the classification of each of the first set of weeds and the second set of weeds.