Fendt and PTx Trimble launch AI for weed control.

Fendt and PTx announce RowPilot, a solution that promises to transform weed management through artificial intelligence (AI). According to the companies, the innovation emerges as a direct response to the need for greater efficiency and sustainability in the field.

This is an AI-based row management system designed to guide tractors and mechanical weeding implements. The technology allows for higher working speeds without compromising the crop and provides automation in guiding between rows. 

According to Fendt, unlike conventional camera systems that rely on color (green on brown) or the leaf mass of plants, the RowPilot software has been trained to "read" the crop structure in a more advanced way: the AI ​​identifies the exact point where the plant emerges from the soil. This change brings advantages such as precision in adverse conditions and demonstrates its efficiency in dense weeds, since the AI ​​distinguishes the geometry of the crop. Another differentiating factor is operation on slopes, as the technology compensates for the terrain's inclination. 

“Although the system is still in the pilot phase, in addition to its application for plant cultivation, it shows potential for other uses such as spraying and harvesting. It is a solution that meets the trends that agriculture demands: automation and autonomy for the operator,” highlights Elizeu dos Santos, Product Marketing Manager at Fendt.

Ease of Use

The development of RowPilot focused on ease of use, with its operation depending only on camera position information and row spacing on the tractor's terminal. According to Fendt, there is no need to configure parameters such as plant height, width, or color, as the algorithm adapts automatically. 

In a statement, the company highlighted that the new technology reinforces its commitment to sustainability by enabling highly precise mechanical weeding and facilitating the reduction of chemical pesticide use, meeting a global demand for cleaner agricultural practices.