In the realm of sustainable agriculture, a Norwegian company, Kilter Systems, is making waves with its innovative AX-1 robot spot-sprayer. This unique herbicide droplet generator is designed to target weeds with high precision, offering a promising solution to the challenges faced by vegetable growers in weed control.
Conventional weed control methods are often expensive, time-consuming, and can be harmful to both crops and the environment. Manual weeding, although effective in preventing crop damage, is increasingly expensive and labor-intensive due to the scarcity of manual labor. Additionally, the decreasing range of available herbicides demands alternative solutions. Kilter Systems has addressed these issues with the development of the AX-1, a self-propelled robot equipped with ‘single drop technology.’
The AX-1 uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect weeds in a range of crops, for which specific recognition models have been developed. Once a weed is detected, the robot applies herbicide droplets directly to the weed. This precision is achieved through camera modules with an integrated droplet generator. Each module covers 25 centimeters and contains 42 controlled nozzles that administer the herbicide in a 6×6 millimeter pattern, minimizing drift and ensuring that only the weed is targeted.
According to Kilter Systems, the AX-1 technology can reduce herbicide use by up to 95%. This significant reduction not only makes a big financial difference but also minimizes the exposure of soil and crop plants to selective products, leading to improved quality and uniformity, and potentially higher yields. In fact, the company claims that the technology can increase yield by 35%.
The AX-1 was originally developed for vegetable cultivation in flat beds and has been successfully used in crops such as carrots, parsnips, onions, red beet, lamb’s lettuce, parsley, spinach, rocket, and celeriac. Chicory is the first arable crop where the AX-1 is operating. The robot’s investment is quickly recouped in these intensive crops thanks to significant savings on manual labor and improved crop quality.
In Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany, the AX-1 has been operating for two years on fifteen vegetable farms. Growers in these countries apply pelargonic acid, a biological burn-down agent, which ensures that small weeds die off while the useful plants continue to develop undisturbed. In the Netherlands, growers can use glyphosate or another herbicide to kill the weeds.
The AX-1 has been very well received, with several growers who have worked with the robot for some time purchasing a second or even third unit. In the Netherlands, the AX-1 has been tested in chicory in cooperation with Sensus, and at a second commercial farm, its operation in vegetables is being investigated.
However, the AX-1 is still awaiting a ‘drift label’ in the Netherlands. According to Jesper Voois, strategic market advisor for Kilter Systems, the AX-1 must be tested for drift as it is not a conventional sprayer. This testing is planned for later this year at Wageningen University & Research. Kilter Systems is also working on setting up a distribution network for the AX-1 in the Netherlands and other parts of Europe, with plans to sell the robot in the Netherlands from 2026.
The implications of the AX-1 technology are significant. It offers vegetable growers a more sustainable and efficient solution for weed control, reducing herbicide use and improving crop quality and yield. As the technology continues to be tested and refined, it has the potential to make a substantial impact on sustainable agriculture practices worldwide.