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Not too long ago, the idea of a machine cultivator that could tell the difference between the weeds and the crop would have seemed impossible. However, now it’s not only possible — it’s available. An innovative new automated machine developed by Stout Industrial Technology, the Smart Cultivator, can now eliminate weeds and cultivate ground in a single pass – with just one tractor and driver. With the critical labor shortages in the agriculture industry, it comes not a moment too soon.
The Smart Cultivator uses a cutting-edge artificial intelligence vision system, called Stout True Vision, to differentiate between the crop and weeds. A significant benefit Stout True Vision has over traditional machine vision is it automatically adjusts for lighting conditions, soil color, and plant sizes. To train it to recognize a crop — romaine lettuce, broccoli or iceberg, for example, thousands of images were labeled and uploaded so the machine could “learn” dozens of characteristics such as the color, leaf edges and shape and crown structure. Armed with that knowledge in the field, Smart Cultivator looks specifically for the commodity being grown and knows anything else should not be there.
The blades open and close around the plants and remove any weeds sur-rounding them as it moves down the rows. The cultivating and weeding blades, along with the row width and height, are all easily adjustable. The Smart Cultivator processes fields at one to two acres per hour.
“With the ability to reduce both labor needs and chemical inputs at the same time, early adopters of the Smart Cultivator have found that there is an immediate financial benefit,” says Steven Snyder, Chief Technologist at Stout Industrial Technology. “It’s a great fit for both organic and conventional growers.”
Currently, Smart Cultivator has the ability to work in fields of leafy greens such as romaine, iceberg and red-leaf lettuce, and brassicas. New crops are continually being added, Snyder says. Tomatoes and melons are coming soon.
“If a grower contacts us about a specific crop, we have a system in place that allows us to very quickly get the images we need to train our system to work on a new commodity,” he says.
The Smart Cultivator has cutting-edge technology, but it is designed with the user in mind. It has a user-friendly, touch-screen interface, precision seed line tracking for tight machine-to-plant spacing, automatic blade depth control and more. The Smart Cultivator requires only a 1,000 RPM PTO and three-point hitch, with no electrical or hydraulic connection to the tractor needed.
It is also designed with field conditions in mind, Snyder says. The Smart Cultivator works on any soil type and has automatic bed pressure and height control systems, which adapt to different soils – even rocky ones.
“We wanted something that would be easy to use and extremely durable, because we know it’s really hard for businesses to integrate new technologies into their operations,” Snyder says. “It’s made of heavy steel, with shock absorbers, and all the electronics and wiring are completely sealed and waterproof. You can pressure wash it; it doesn’t need special handling. Growers who are already using it say it’s reliable, it works, and it’s easy to use,” Snyder says.
SALINAS, CA. (February 15, 2021)
After completing more than 1000 hours of trouble-free operation on their first prototype, Stout Industrial Technology completed the first commercial Smart Cultivator in May 2020 and now has completed its 16th commercial machine with more in production. With the initial commercial sales deliveries now completed and operating with success, Stout Industrial Technology is pleased to announce the availability of the Smart Cultivator to farming communities across the United States.
The Smart Cultivator is an automated weeder and cultivator that combines a proprietary, agriculturally proven mechanical platform with a cutting-edge artificial intelligence vision system, called Stout True Vision, to eliminate weeds and cultivate ground in a single pass. The machine processes fields at 1-2 acres per hour with one tractor driver and is rugged and durable. The machine features a self-tuning AI vision system, user-friendly touch screen interface, precision seed line tracking for tight machine to plant spacing, automatic blade depth control and more. The Smart Cultivator requires only a 1000 RPM PTO and 3 point hitch, with no electrical or hydraulics connection to the tractor. All electrical components are shockproof and waterproof.
“The Smart Cultivator addresses a critical labor shortage in the agriculture industry while simultaneously improving efficiencies in farming operations,” says Steven Snyder, Chief Technologist at Stout Industrial Technology. “Early adopters of the Smart Cultivator have found that there is an immediate financial benefit with the reduction in labor needs and the ability to reduce chemical inputs, making the Smart Cultivator a great fit for both organic and conventional growers.”
The Smart Cultivator is the first of many industrial technologies to come from the diverse group of innovators behind the Stout Industrial Technology brand. Combining a spirit of innovation and a background in product development, the team’s collective experience portfolio spans from space telescopes and virtual reality headsets, to automated farm equipment and high throughput specialty manufacturing lines.
Stout Industrial Technology looks forward to a bright future creating high quality, intelligent technology and machines that are designed to be dependable and last a lifetime.
Stout builds high-quality, intelligent agricultural machines designed to be dependable and last a lifetime.
We will be doing demos to show off it’s amazing capabilities and to answer any questions you may have about how it will fit into your specific farming practice.
