Precision Farming – Plug&Play
The challenge: Using resources efficiently
Sustainable use of resources is one of the key challenges in modern agriculture. Farmers are under pressure to use fertilizer, pesticides and water carefully but effectively, while facing increasing demands on yield and traceability.
At the same time, a lack of data and harsh environmental conditions in the field make the task more difficult and dust, vibrations and changing light conditions place high demands on the technology used. What is needed is a solution that is precise, robust and easy to integrate.
The solution: Automated decisions made on the tractor
PerPlant provides the necessary data basis for individual treatment of the site, down to the individual plant and directly on the pass. The image processing integrated on the sensor recognizes in real time which plants need to be treated and forwards this information to the application technology via ISOBUS. This means that fertilizer,
pesticides and water can only be applied where it is needed, efficiently, sustainably and without detours via external systems. PerPlant is deliberately designed as a retrofit solution: easy to install, immediately ready for use, with minimal training required.
How PerPlant works
Two integrated cameras capture RGB and multispectral image data directly in the field.
This data is evaluated on the sensor in real time using an embedded vision system with Edge AI - without a cloud.
The system detects exactly where fertilization or crop protection is required down to the square centimetre - for crops such as maize, wheat, rapeseed, potatoes, barley, oats or sugar beet. The system is controlled directly on the tractor via the ISOBUS interface of field sprayers and fertilizers. In addition, an app provides the recorded data clearly in real time - for precise, site-specific measures with minimal effort.
Camera data is processed directly on the tractor, for quick decisions in the field.
Precise data for smart decisions
Biomass, weed types, soil conditions and productivity zones: everything can be measured.
Targeted treatment, no spreading losses
Only the plants and areas that need it are spot sprayed, with pinpoint accuracy and resource-conserving.
More yield, lower costs
Precise measures increase yield by up to 10 % and with less use of chemicals.
Smart image processing directly in the sensor, without cloud connection
By combining high-quality VC MIPI® Camera Modules, powerful edge hardware and intelligent light measurement, the PerPlant sensor offers maximum standalone performance for demanding applications in the field. The system has been specially developed for use in the agricultural industry, where fast responses, energy-efficient processing and reliable results are crucial. The technology is transferable to other sectors, such as industrial plants or other mobile machinery.
Precise image capture with VC MIPI ® IMX568 sensor
PerPlant uses two integrated VC MIPI Camera Modules with the IMX568 sensor from Sony's Pregius S series. These provide high-resolution RGB and multispectral images with high light sensitivity, ideal for field applications.
The cameras capture precise information about biomass, soil structure and weed types - down to the square centimeter. Thanks to their compact design and robust construction, they are ideally suited for long-term use in agricultural environments.
Real-time processing with Edge AI
NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX board, quickly, reliably and without external systems. The board offers a powerful Edge AI computing unit and enables large amounts of data to be analyzed without cloud connection. Thanks to the MIPI CSI-2 interface, camera and processor system are perfectly integrated.
Adaptive light measurement
A light sensor integrated into the system continuously measures the ambient brightness and automatically adjusts the image processing. This means that the quality of the images remains consistently high even in changing light conditions, such as caused by clouds, twilight or sunlight.
The adaptive control ensures optimum results regardless of the time of day or weather, thus supporting precise, continuous analysis in the field.
“
VC MIPI Cameras meet all these requirements and are characterized by their long-term availability, a favorable price-performance ratio and compatibility with our NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX processor board.”
Sumod Nandanwar
Co-Founder and CTO of PerPlant
PerPlant
Are you also developing a stand-alone sensor for smart farming or another smart device with embedded vision?
We are happy to support you, from selecting the right components to the ready-to-deploy system.