AtgTech startup FarmSense uses AI and analytics for pest control
California-based AgTech startup FarmSense unveiled its smart pest monitoring system, which farmers adopt the latest in artificial intelligence and analytics to improve insect monitoring and crop management.
FarmSense’s FlightSensor uses innovative optical sensor technology to automate the process of real-time insect classification and counting, providing immediate access for farmers to make mission-critical decisions on crop and pest control.
The FarmSense monitoring system can help farmers lower pesticide and insecticide use by optimizing their application in both space and time.
Once the FarmSense Smart Trap detects an insect, it runs FarmSense patented algorithm to classify the insect in real-time. Data is sent to the FarmSense cloud via wireless.
The sensor comes in a variety of sizes, and the algorithm can be adjusted depending on what insects a farmer needs to monitor.
“The insect analytics they provide allows me to really understand what is happening in specific areas of the orchard in near real-time. Better yet, the data are accessible via my phone and downloadable for analysis making quick decisions easy,” said Mark Hoddle, a field entomologist and an early customer at the University of California Riverside.
To develop the technology FarmSense obtained $7.5 million in academic funding including multiple Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Awards, the Vodafone Wireless Innovation Award, and multiple National Science Foundation Awards.
The FarmSense Smart Pest Monitoring System is currently offered only to selected partners, but it will be fully commercially available all in January 2021.
Founded in 2016, FarmSense helps farmers simplify pest management. The company’s patented technology provides real-time insect counts and classifications through a smart field sensor that connects wirelessly to the cloud.
Farmers around the world are increasing the use of technology to reduce risks associated to rural production and boost yields. Precision agriculture uses IoT applications, which help farmers to increase the quality, quantity, sustainability and cost effectiveness of agricultural production. These tools allow the farmers to know what seeds to plant, the amount of fertilizer they need to use, the better time to harvest as well as the expected crop outputs. Through the implementation of IoT, farmers can also monitor sensors that can be used to detect soil moisture, crop growth and livestock feed levels, among other key functions. The sensors can also remotely manage and control connected harvesters and irrigation equipment.
Certain IoT platforms used in the agriculture industry allow farmers to manage the big amounts of data collected from sensors, cloud services such as weather or maps, connected equipment and existing systems. The platforms also leverage big data and analytics tools to provide insight and recommendations to improve the decision-making process.
