Public Funding for Househam Sprayers Limited

ROBO-Sprayer is an ambitious program to develop the world's first self-propelled robotic crop sprayer with integrated electric drivetrain. It will place SME Househams, a leading UK manufacturer, in the vanguard of global precision sprayer technology and agricultural robotics. The project recognises urgent farmer pull for new generation of sprayers that reduce total pesticide inputs by increasing application precision. This reflects news regulations that restrict pesticide use (Environment Act, EU Farm to Fork) and the withdrawal of multiple synthetic chemicals for the market. To meet this challenge, the ROBO-Sprayer project will design and demonstrate critical elements of a next generation robotic sprayer, including; 1.A new chassis with market leading single wheel traction and slippage control delivered with instant torque available from integrated electric hub drives (replacing hydrostatics). The prototype hub drives (4x8KW each 3000Nm) to be tested were developed by partner OxDrive (PPL spin out) in a prior IUK project. Published academic studies suggest this system has the potential to deliver unrivalled ground speed control across agricultural terrains, essential for precision spray application. 2.Engineering designs of a commercial machine that integrates green on green AI nozzle control (camera targeting of both crop and weeds), a novel electric boom stabiliser with electric drives, vehicle and robotics (AI) controls, data processing, tanks, and pumps. 3.Options for the power system, including considerations for a full battery or hybrid electric implementation. This project de-risks Househam's subsequent investment to build the full commercial machine. The project will be delivered by a consortium led by Househam, which also includes OxDrive, an engineering and motor design company in Silverstone, and the University of Lincoln (Engineering and LIAT). The demonstration platform and chassis will be co-created and tested with W Stubbs, leading arable farmers in Lincolnshire. Farmer gains from the project are significant. Recent review suggests that pesticides reduce losses to fruit, vegetable, and cereal production by 78%, 54% and 32%, respectively. Lost production due to crop waste has negative impacts on GHG emissions, UK farm output and imported food. To meet new regulatory requirements without jeopardizing farmer incomes from crop losses, next generation sprayers including ROBO-Sprayer will need to intelligent and exploit all potential advances in electric drives and controls. Prior independent studies on analogous systems suggest the full machine can reduce pesticide use and input by between 23 to 89%, a considerable proportion of arable farm input costs (pesticides are typically \>£200/ha).

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

A hand held device that measures spray deposits on crops so that they can be rapidly quantified by spray operators in the field will be developed. This will enable spray operators to determine and optimise sprayer performance e.g. according to crop structure, growth and weather conditions, as well as quality assure spray applications and check for off-target contamination. Spray deposits from best practice spray applications will be benchmarked in a wide range of UK horticultural crops at different growth stages. Business opportunities are 1) sales of the device to the mass market of spray operators, consultants and researchers in the UK then worldwide 2) improving sprayer performance for the UK producer and marketing organisation partners in the project and whose grower members are leading UK horticultural producers. They will set new standards of best practice for spraying UK horticultural crops, and this new technology will readily transfer throughout agriculture and horticulture.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

The project aims to develop an innovative control system for a field crop sprayer that is able to deliver accurate doses across a field with modern, large-scale equipment operating at high work rates. The work will involve quantifying the limitations in current technology, designing, developing and implementing a new control system that involves integrating state-of-the-art hardware with innovative software strategies, testing the system performance and validating the benefits, and integrating with farm management software. The project is led by a UK sprayer manufacturer who aims to increase their ability to compete in a world market, has a research partner with expertise in pesticide application, sprayer control and precision agriculture who can provide independent testing and validation and dissemination of results, and a manufacturer of farm management software to ensure integration of the system to maximise uptake. A successful project will ensure major improvements in the accuracy of pesticide delivery, increasing the efficiency of the operation, maximising the performance of plant protection products and reducing environmental impacts.

This project aims to enable autonomous control of agricultural sprayers. This feasibility study will consider a precise and robust control system for optimising the height of the spraying booms and the spraying vehicle’s speed based on the laser-based sensing principle. The proposed system will address the shortcomings of the current, reactive ultrasonic-based systems which provide instant and unreliable distance information only, resulting in a suboptimal spraying process. This new technology will enable greater autonomy in agricultural sprayers, enhance and simplify interaction between the driver and the vehicle, and result in an optimised spraying process, bringing numerous benefits arising from more efficient use of chemicals (e.g. economical benefits to farmers, help in maintaining biodiversity, reduction of contamination risks and emission of greenhouse gases, improved safety of the operator and food consumers).