34. Carrotbot – key findings Light control is critical Adjust for lens focal length More robust drive train Next steps: Hyper-spectral imaging (IR) Develop process for creating training sets
36. R&D Partner: UC davis Over 10 years of weed recognition and elimination research Hyper-spectral imaging Precision spray of hot organic oil No plans to start own company Open to joint proposal Dr. David Slaughter, UC Davis Source: “Autonomous robotic weed control systems”, D.C. Slaughter, et. al. Computers & Electronics in Agriculture, 2008
37. R&D Partner: LZH (GER) Laser Zentrum Hannover German laser research lab Currently studying using lasers for weed control Findings: Effective and efficient Maximal dose of 5 J mm2 CO2 laser better absorbed than Diode laser Christian Marx, PhD student Source: “Laser Light Beams for Weed Control in Horticulture” C. Woltjen, et. al., LZH
38. Early Adoption partner: bolthouse 2nd largest organic carrot grower in CA Technology-driven company Key decision makers are excited by this project
39. Bridge Partners: Service Industry Service Providers: Hines Pest and Weed Control (Watsonville, CA) Jack R Weed Control Service (Rocklin, CA) Western Farm Service Inc. (West Coast) Integrated Crop Pest Management & Control (Salinas, CA) Weed/Pest Management Consultants: Organic Ag Advisors (North San Juan, CA) The Organic Consulting Firm (Temecula, CA) Crop Production Services, Inc. (California)
40. Supply Chain Partners Imaging Hardware Lasers nLight Implement Chassis Gonzales Machinery & Forge Northern Valley Fab
41. 2011 World Ag Expo Found a few companies for potential partnership … maybe OEM arrangement Solex Corp, Gonzales Machinery, Trimble Checking out the competition – RoboCrop. Only technology of its type, very rudimentary.