“The Intelligent Spray Control System is an excellent addition to their affordable autosteer and GPS boom sprayer add-on kits.”
Smart Guided Systems is a leader in precision solutions for ground maintenance and horticultural applications. Smart Guided Systems has made they are commercially designed and manufactured Intelligent Spray Control System available to one and all. The highly sought-after spray system has been in field-testing, development, and research for nearly a decade at the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture via the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (Washington, D.C.).
The precision sprayer kit system utilizes a LIDAR sensor to create a digital representation, including width, height, spacing, and density of each plant or tree as it moves, which is then used to control each spray nozzle independently. Thus, USDA research proves the system delivers:
- As useful or better crop protection
- 47-73 percent decrease in spray consumption
- 40-87 percent less in spray loss beyond tree canopies
- Up to 87 percent reduction airborne drift
- 68-93 percent decrease in spray loss on the ground
Steve Booher, Smart Guided founder, and CEO says, “USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and University researchers have given it many years of work to show how to minimize chemical usage to help the environment. It is exciting to now be incorporating commercial versions of this system for growers across the country.”
Smart Guided Systems is now offering the user-friendly, robust version that is retrofitted to growers’ existing air blast spray equipment with the speed of an experienced engineering team and continuing support from the USDA. Smart Guided is pleased with its continued expansion in precision Ag-Tech breakthrough products. The Intelligent Spray Control System is an excellent addition to their affordable autosteer and GPS boom sprayer add-on kits.
The Smart-Apply Intelligent Spray Control System by Smart Guided Systems had also recently been chosen for the Davidson Prize, a high honor for agricultural discoveries that are defined to have a significant impact on agricultural production, performance, or safety. Smart-Apply was also recently awarded two important agricultural innovation awards: The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers’ (ASABE) AE50 award and the Top-10 New Product at the World Ag Expo. Steve states, “We are honored to have gotten these prestigious Ag Innovation awards, but more significantly is the positive impact the technology has on the environment and up to 73percent in chemical savings for permanent and specialty crop growers around the world.”
The Smart-Apply Intelligent Spray Control System utilizes LIDAR to scan each plant or tree as it passes, making a density map of the spray target. Algorithms calculate the correct amount of chemical needed. As the sprayer passes, every spray nozzle becomes its variable rate sprayer, applying just the right amount of compound per spray nozzle.
Smart Guided Systems also recently announced the appointment of dealer Everglades Equipment Group for the southern two-thirds of Florida for the Intelligent Spray Control System. The highly awaited spray system has been in field-testing, development, and research for almost a decade at the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (Washington, D.C.) and commercialized by Smart Guided Systems.
Steve adds, “We are happy to have Everglades Equipment Group as a dealer showing Citrus and other specialty crop manufacturers in Central and Southern Florida. Their experience and understanding of advanced technologies combined with 17 locations will help the grower in having local help.” Kyle Norton, Everglades Equipment Group Precision Solutions Manager, states, “Becoming a dealer of The Intelligent Spray Control System displays our commitment to offering advanced technology to the grower and positive stewardship to the environment.” The Intelligent Spray Control System can be incorporated into growers’ existing air blast spray machinery in 5-7 hours and is approved for cost-share in many areas.”
