Chlorovision (2012 NRCA Weed Control Seminar)

transcript

Advanced Integrated Pest Management Using ChlorovisionTM Technology

David Bradley, Ph.D.Perceptive Robotics LLC

Integrated Pest Management (the 3-step plan)

Precise Application

Keep Detailed Records• Regulatory compliance (NPDES)• Effectiveness & Risk evaluation

Treat only the weeds

Selective Spraying

Regulatory Compliance

Cost SavingsData Guided

Efficiency Improvements

Chlorovision

IONUser

Interface(Touch-CHLOROVISION

User Interface(Touch-screen

Computer)

2012 Perceptive Robotics, LLC

CHLOROVISIONUser Interface(Touch-screen

Computer)

Sensor

CHLOROVISIONUser Interface

(Touch-screen Computer)

GPS-Accurate Reports

Touchscreen

CHLOROVISIONUser Interface(Touch-screen

Computer)

Spray SystemGPS

Selective Spraying• Spray only where there are weeds

• Apply only as much material as necessary

• Economical high-speed operation

Selective Spraying

ManualManualWeed Seeker (12.7’)

Selective Spraying

ManualManualWeed Seeker (12.7’)

Chlorovision

Selective Spraying

Weedseeker + Manual Chlorovision

Application Speed

• Weedseeker: <10 mph agricultural applications

• Manual Control: inaccurate at speed

• Can be configured for any speed the spray system will support.

Is it working?

• Wave a weed under each sensor

6/15/2011 Comparison Test• 144 miles of West Virginia

Non-Se

lectiv

e Spra

l Spra

ying w

Chlorov

1015202530

Reduced Herbicide UsageG

25 14.31 10.23

electi

Chloro

vision

10152025303540

Lower Material CostsDo

$35.73 $20.48 $14.50

REPORTING & REGULATORY COMPLIANCE

Reporting• GPS allows reports listing chemical totals

by State, County and Zip Code

Reporting• Camera goes beyond-GPS accuracy in

reporting material application

• Recording weeds provides detailed justification to regulators

Reporting

6/10/2009 (63.21mi) Contract #: 923901Report #: 22

10:31 a.m. June 10th, 2009SprayedVegetationTrackMile Post: 31

NPDES Compliance Tool

• NPDES permits are required to treat “on or near” waters of the U.S.

• High accuracy application mapping shows which areas were treated

Avoiding drift & documenting wind speed

• Ultrasonic wind-meter provides accurate measurements of wind speed every second while moving.

• Document that wind-speed complied with drift regulations.

• Set wind-speed warning thresholds for normal operation and ecologically sensitive areas

• Import warnings from sites like driftwatch.org

INFORMATION EFFICIENCY

Example of Information Driven Efficiency

• Speed = amount of herbicide applied– Each nozzle size is designed for a

particular speed• Too fast Under spray area• Too slow Over spray area

• How much is application speed costing us?– Or how are results suffering from under-

applying?• Are our nozzles the right size?

Actual application speed

Design Speeds

Actual Speeds

How much is application speed wasting?$4/acre (10% of total)

What’s Next• Long-term monitoring of herbicide

application and weed pressure– When to treat?– What to use?

What’s Next?• Crossing visibility analysis:

• Track condition monitoring

Map link shows treated area overlaid on Google Maps.

Notes are denoted by icons.

Click to View Note

10:31 a.m. June 10th, 2009

Note: Poor Track Conditions

Add comments here

Click to download high-res image

Resolved ?

High-res track image

• CHLOROVISION builds a high-res image of the track around the note.

• Track problems are easy to spot by zooming in on the high-res image downloaded from the website.

High-res track image

10:31 a.m. June 10th, 2009

Note: Poor Track Conditions

Broken tie, reported to maintenance crew.

Click to download high-res image

Resolved ?

Mud Pumping Example

Questions?

Perceptiverobotics.com