Smart sprayer revolutionizes sustainable farming

An AI-powered smart sprayer by Atar

Atar, a Serbian startup specializing in AI-driven agricultural solutions, has unveiled its AI-powered smart sprayer at the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF).

The smart sprayer, on display in Hall 1 of the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Futian District, stands out for its ability to reduce chemical usage in crop fields by up to 80%. The achievement is made possible by enabling any standard spraying machine to conduct precise weed detection and targeted spraying.

The process begins with the smart sprayer capturing high-resolution images of the crop surface. These images are then analyzed in real time by a machine learning algorithm, swiftly identifying weeds amidst the crops. The pertinent information is then seamlessly transmitted to the ATAR nozzle control system, which responds with precision by activating individual nozzles to spray only the unwanted plants.

“One of the primary advantages of our ATAR Smart Sprayer is its ability to significantly reduce chemical usage in fields, thereby reducing the environmental impact and toxic effects on the ecosystem. The computer vision-based solution also facilitates real-time weed detection in crops,” Goran Šuka, marketing manager of ATAR, said.

“This is complemented by a sophisticated hardware system designed to control sprayers, allowing any existing agricultural sprayer to identify crop weeds and engage in spot spraying,” Šuka added.

ATAR sees CHTF as a crucial platform for collaboration, especially with high-tech partners in China excelling in artificial intelligence, particularly in computer vision with a focus on the agricultural sector.

According to Šuka, the collaborations are pivotal in driving forward AI technology’s integration into agriculture.