For the past three years the team at Solinftec has been working on advancing its solar powered autonomy platform. They have tested both a scouting machine and are in the first year of testing a selective spraying machine.
Leo Carvalho, director of operations for Solinftec, says the company has been testing different machines with specified applications in Brazil, Canada and the U.S.
“We understand there are differences between these regions—the crops grown and the pain points for farmers,” Carvalho says.
In the U.S., he says the work done so far has encouraged Solix robotics to first tackle the issue of weed control. First, the announced the Solix Scouting machine. Now, they will offer Solix Spraying.
“We want to reduce the amount of herbicide used,” he says. “To do that, we need to identify 100% of the kinds of weeds and act in the field to make spot spray applications.”
With one year of testing in conjunction with Purdue University, the Solix Ag sprayer has shown up to 70% reduction in herbicide used.
The robot is 2.5 meters and is powered by four solar panels. The spot spray system has been developed by Solinftec’s engineering team to provide plant level management. Carvalho explains the Solix Ag sprayer can cover almost 100 acres/day.
“We have a concept that can run constantly as long as field conditions and weather conditions are fit,” he says.
As previously announced, Solinftec has partnered with Growmark to test its scouting robot. And the company recently announced a partnership with FBN to test the sprayer.
Clean Field As a Service Business Model
In 2023, there will be 30 Solix Ag robots in the U.S. and Canada. The company aims to open sales for the 2024 season with a goal of 150 sold in the U.S. and Canada.
The machines are introducing what Solinftec calls “clean fields as a service.” They are encouraging retailers to embrace a new pricing model based on performance.
“We have made these developments quickly. In one year, we have had one prototype doing testing and this coming year we will have 30,” he says. “This is a great opportunity to put more technology in the ag retailer’s process and improve their business model. Today, they charge farmers for a two pass program. They’ve been selling product, but can shift to selling a service. Now, they can start to charge for clean fields.”
What’s Next For Solinftec’s Robot Platform
The Solix robot today collects data on crop populations, weed identification/densities, disease identification/ thresholds, insect identification/ thresholds, nutrient deficiency identification and densities, and other data points.
And Carvalho says the company is eyeing additional functionality on the robotic platform including soil compaction testing, nitrogen sampling and more.
This is the first hardware introduction for the company in North America. However, in the past 15 years Solinftec developed and sold on-board computers in Brazil via its Alice AI platform.
“We are looking to provide the next wave of agronomy. We have to be more efficient, and the only way to improve our production and feed the world is with technology. We can reduce products used, reduce costs, reduce compaction,” he says.
