Low-Cost Open-Source Weed Sprayer Tech Available To Farmers

Low-Cost Open-Source Weed Sprayer Tech Available To Farmers SPRAYING New Sprayers Guy Coleman a Ph D student at the University of Sydney developed the OWL or Open Weed Locator while examining site-specific weed control and plant and algorithm interactions His goals were to create and serve a practical agricultural purpose and help others learn to code Using a prototype he worked with his supervisor Dr Michael Walsh and colleague Dr William Salter on refinement and field testing “Existing systems were wildly expensive ” says Coleman “The OWL acted as a low-cost entry point for farmers willing to build something themselves ” The OWL isn’t a sprayer or mechanical weeder but a self-contained box with a camera and a Raspberry Pi computer The unit runs detection algorithms and a relay control board to actuate higher-power components like solenoids for spot spraying It’s powered by a tractor or any vehicle’s 12-volt system “In its most basic form it takes all frames from the camera in real-time and uses the greenness of the weeds and detection algorithms to pinpoint exact locations ” Coleman says “It then turns on a corresponding relay connected to a light hydraulic solenoid laser array or solenoid for spot spraying ” The current system covers about a 3 ft width when mounted about 3 ft off the ground Coleman isn’t marketing the OWL as a physical piece of equipment but as files and software to download The system can be built independently and integrated with the software into existing commercial platforms He’s had substantial interest from Canada and the U S and is working with universities to offer more complete OWL kits The systems are currently in eight different countries “As an open-source system input and use cases differ wildly but that strengthens the community around the project ” Coleman says “Its strength is in its entirely open development and build process with low-cost off-the-shelf parts We’re agnostic in terms of use case and welcome and encourage people to adapt it to their own needs ” Components for the OWL unit retail for around $250 USD depending on the camera/computer model combination but the cheapest systems would be under $200 The most expensive parts are the spraying components such as the solenoids plumbing pieces and nozzles Coleman shares the information at www github com/geezacoleman/OpenWeedLocator Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Guy Coleman guy coleman@sydney edu au; www github com/geezacoleman/OpenWeedLocator

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