Ecorobotix, a Swiss agtech and artificial intelligence (AI) software company, has announced the U.S. introduction of its ARA, a system that scans the field and precision spot-sprays weeds.
WATCH: Ecorobotix representative Jose Marchetti shows Farm Equipment editors how ARA works at FIRA USA.
ARA was launched in 2021. It has since been used in 13 European countries and, most recently, expanded geographically to Canada and South America.
ARA uses a combination of Ecorobotix’s UHP-Spray-Technology and the AI-driven Plant-by-Plant software. In less than 250 milliseconds, the system scans the field, captures real-time imagery, identifies the specified crops or weeds the farmer has chosen to treat, and executes a precise spray precision of 2.4 by 2.4 inches, all while minimizing drift.
ARA’s primary application currently focuses on targeted herbicide treatments in vegetable fields, showcasing reduced phytotoxicity and enhanced overall crop yields. This translates to substantial profit increases for farmers while reducing herbicide volumes by an impressive 70-95%. Beyond herbicides, ARA’s versatility extends to the application of liquid fertilizers, growth treatments, insecticides and pesticides.
Ecorobotix's expansion into the U.S. market has been marked by the establishment of its U.S. subsidiary, Ecorobotix Inc., and its membership in the Western Growers Association (WGA) in California. The ARA was officially on display for the first time in the U.S. at the 2023 Farm Tech Days in Wisconsin, in cooperation with Edney Distributing, and will be shown at the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill. Ecorobotix Inc. will make an inaugural appearance at FIRA in Salinas, Calif., this September, with field demonstrations of its ARA.
