CultiWise Launches AI to Train Detection in the Field

Czech startup Skymaps has launched Zoneye, an AI model that identifies crops and weeds in drone images and can be trained with local species. The tool integrates with CultiWise, generates prescription maps in minutes, and aims to reduce pesticide costs by up to 50%, with productivity gains of up to 20%.

Zoneye recognizes 37 common weed species. The system pinpoints location to the nearest centimeter and reports density and species in each area. Growers can define the herbicide dose per zone and export the map directly to the machine terminals.

Drones with RGB cameras are used, flying between 40 and 120 meters, depending on the size of the weed. The images are uploaded to the CultiWise cloud. The platform processes and delivers maps in minutes.

Skymaps has released Zoneye to CultiWise subscribers worldwide. The service costs between €5 and €20 per hectare. The company offers optional drones starting at €4.200.

According to CTO Kornel Cziria, the development process took over 500 hours. The executive highlights centimeter-level accuracy and field-specific adjustments. In regions with unusual conditions, such as Australia's red soils, farmers send samples and train the system in real time.

The technology enables spot spraying and variable-rate application. Equipment from Agrifac, Amazone, Horsch, and John Deere uses maps to apply herbicide only to infested areas. Many farmers already have sprayers with this capability, but lack detection and map generation; Zoneye fills this gap.

The model differentiates between crops and weeds in "green on green" scenarios. The level of detail allows for plant counts and error assessments. In a case involving sugar beet, Zoneye identified areas with more than 65 plants per hectare, above the economic threshold, and recommended reseeding only in areas below the threshold.

The same logic guides sowing. Density and gap analysis indicates seed rate adjustments in areas with low germination. The system also anticipates harvest estimates for resource planning, storage, and sales.

Skymaps presents Zoneye at Agritechnica 2025, November 9-15, in Germany, at booth H35 in hall 9.