The Steketee IC-Weeder AI represents a significant advancement in agricultural technology, offering farmers a precise and efficient solution for weed control. By leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced camera systems, this innovative machine accurately distinguishes between crops and weeds, enabling targeted removal that minimizes the need for manual labor and chemical herbicides. This technology not only enhances farming efficiency but also promotes sustainable practices, ensuring optimal crop health and yield.
With its ability to work in challenging light conditions and adapt to various crop types, the IC-Weeder AI provides a versatile solution for modern farming operations. The intuitive touchscreen interface and remote service support further enhance its usability and reliability, making it a valuable asset for farmers seeking to optimize their weed control strategies.
By precisely targeting weeds and preserving valuable crops, the Steketee IC-Weeder AI helps farmers achieve higher yields and reduce operational costs. Its advanced features and robust design make it a reliable and effective tool for sustainable agriculture.
Key Features
The Steketee IC-Weeder AI's core functionality revolves around its advanced camera system and deep learning algorithms. These technologies enable the machine to accurately identify plants in real-time, achieving a plant recognition ratio exceeding 95%. This high level of precision ensures that only weeds are targeted, minimizing damage to valuable crops.
The pneumatically controlled sickle-shaped knives provide precise weed removal, targeting weeds as close as 2 cm from crop plants. This level of accuracy is crucial for intra-row weeding, where traditional methods often struggle. The combination of AI-driven recognition and precise mechanical execution makes the IC-Weeder AI a highly effective weed control solution.
Furthermore, the IC-Weeder AI is equipped with a Crop Clean system, which uses an air blower to remove soil from plants after weeding. This feature helps maintain plant health and visibility, ensuring optimal growing conditions. The intuitive touchscreen interface simplifies operation and monitoring, while remote service support minimizes downtime and ensures continuous performance.
Finally, the machine's ability to process 30 images per second and strike between plants in only 50 milliseconds highlights its efficiency and speed. This rapid processing ensures that weeds are removed quickly and effectively, maximizing the machine's throughput and minimizing its impact on overall farming operations.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum Row Width | 25 cm |
| Minimum Plant Distance | 20 cm |
| Operational Width | Up to 6 m |
| Camera Field of Vision | 75 cm |
| Plant Recognition Ratio | Over 95% |
| Working Speed | Up to 5 km/h |
| Plant Recognition Speed | 30 images per second |
| Blade Action Speed | 50 milliseconds |
| Hoeing Knife Capacity | 3-4 plants per second |
Use Cases & Applications
- Sugar Beet Farming: The IC-Weeder AI is particularly well-suited for sugar beet farming, where precise intra-row weeding is essential for maximizing yield. The machine accurately distinguishes between sugar beet plants and weeds, ensuring that only unwanted vegetation is removed.
- Vegetable and Salad Crop Production: The IC-Weeder AI can be used for transplanted vegetable and salad crops, providing precise weed control that minimizes damage to delicate plants. This is particularly beneficial for crops like lettuce, where manual weeding can be time-consuming and labor-intensive.
- Maize Cultivation: The IC-Weeder AI can be deployed in maize fields to remove weeds that compete with the crop for resources. Its ability to work at high speeds ensures efficient weed control across large areas.
- Pumpkin Farming: The IC-Weeder AI is suitable for pumpkin farming, where maintaining weed-free rows is crucial for healthy plant growth and fruit development. The machine's precise weeding action helps optimize growing conditions and maximize pumpkin yield.
Strengths & Weaknesses
| Strengths ✅ | Weaknesses ⚠️ |
|---|---|
| High Precision: AI-driven plant recognition ensures accurate weed removal, minimizing damage to crops. | Initial Investment: The cost of the IC-Weeder AI may be a barrier for some farmers. |
| Reduced Labor Costs: Automated weeding reduces the need for manual labor, leading to significant cost savings. | Crop Compatibility: While versatile, the system may require adjustments for optimal performance with certain crop types. |
| Sustainable Farming: Minimizes the use of chemical herbicides, promoting environmentally friendly practices. | Maintenance: Regular maintenance is required to ensure optimal performance and longevity. |
| Improved Crop Yield: Precise weed control optimizes crop health and yield. | |
| Versatile Application: Suitable for a variety of row crops, including sugar beets, maize, and vegetables. | |
| Efficient Operation: High-speed processing and precise mechanical execution ensure efficient weed removal. |
Benefits for Farmers
The Steketee IC-Weeder AI offers several key benefits for farmers. By automating weed control, it significantly reduces labor costs, freeing up valuable time for other essential tasks. The precise weeding action minimizes the need for chemical herbicides, promoting sustainable farming practices and reducing environmental impact. Furthermore, the optimized crop health and yield resulting from precise weed control contribute to increased profitability. The IC-Weeder AI enhances farming efficiency, reduces operational costs, and promotes environmental sustainability.
Integration & Compatibility
The Steketee IC-Weeder AI is designed to integrate seamlessly into existing farm operations. It is compatible with standard tractor interfaces for power and control, making it easy to incorporate into your existing equipment fleet. The system can also integrate with various farm management systems for data logging and analysis, providing valuable insights into weed control effectiveness and crop performance. This integration allows farmers to optimize their farming practices and make data-driven decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How does this product work? | The Steketee IC-Weeder AI uses a camera system and deep learning algorithms to identify the difference between crops and weeds. Once identified, pneumatically controlled knives precisely remove the weeds, targeting as close as 2 cm from the crop. |
| What is the typical ROI? | The IC-Weeder AI reduces the need for manual labor and chemical herbicides, leading to significant cost savings. Increased precision also optimizes crop health and yield, further enhancing profitability. |
| What setup is required? | The IC-Weeder AI requires integration with your tractor and configuration of the AI system for your specific crops. Initial setup may involve calibration and training the system to recognize your specific crop varieties. |
| What maintenance is needed? | Regular maintenance includes cleaning the camera lenses, inspecting the knives for wear, and ensuring the pneumatic system is functioning correctly. Software updates should also be applied to maintain optimal performance. |
| Is training required to use this? | Yes, training is recommended to effectively operate and maintain the IC-Weeder AI. The training covers system calibration, troubleshooting, and best practices for weed control. |
| What systems does it integrate with? | The IC-Weeder AI can integrate with various farm management systems for data logging and analysis. It is compatible with standard tractor interfaces for power and control. |
Pricing & Availability
Indicative price: £69,463 (excl. VAT) for a used Steketee IC Weeder. The price of the Steketee IC-Weeder AI can vary based on configuration, implements, and region. Lead times may also affect pricing. To determine the specific pricing and availability for your needs, contact us via the Make inquiry button on this page.
Support & Training
Steketee provides comprehensive support and training for the IC-Weeder AI. Training programs are available to ensure that operators are proficient in using the system and can maximize its benefits. Ongoing support is also provided to address any technical issues and ensure continuous operation. Contact us via the Make inquiry button on this page to learn more about support and training options.
