Niqo Robotics launches AI-driven lettuce thinning solution in North America
Niqo Robotics, a leader in AI-powered agricultural technology, is expanding into the North American market with the launch of the Niqo RoboThinner. This spot-sprayer is designed to automate the thinning of lettuce, offering farmers a precise and efficient method to improve crop uniformity.
Niqo Robotics, based in India, has previously introduced the Niqo RoboSpray, an AI-driven spot-spraying system. The RoboSpray uses Niqo’s proprietary AI camera—Niqo Sense—to identify target and non-target areas, applying precise doses of chemicals directly to plants while avoiding the soil. The AI camera is equipped with integrated lighting, advanced processors, and direct control of actuators, ensuring accurate application.
Adaptation for lettuce thinning
While the RoboSpray was initially designed to spray herbicides for weed control, Niqo Robotics has adapted the technology for lettuce thinning. The new Niqo RoboThinner™ is a tractor-pulled unit equipped with the same core AI camera technology but optimized for millimeter-level precision. The RoboThinner identifies lettuce seedlings, assesses their spacing, and selectively removes excess plants, allowing the remaining lettuce to grow uniformly. The cameras are positioned inside a hooded structure, closer to the ground, to meet the precision demands of thinning operations.
Accuracy of 97%
The RoboThinner has demonstrated a 97% thinning accuracy in field trials, targeting lettuce plants as small as 2.5 cm (1 inch). It can thin up to 7 acres per hour at speeds of up to 4.8 km/h (3 mph). This level of precision is crucial for lettuce growers, who often plant seeds close together to account for non-germination or weaker plants. Traditionally, excess plants are removed by hand—a labor-intensive process that the RoboThinner automates efficiently.
Return on Investment in two years
Niqo Robotics estimates that the RoboThinner will provide a return on investment within two years, thanks to the efficiency gains and labor cost reductions. Priced at approximately $250,000, the RoboThinner can be easily retrofitted to any tractor and operates across various bed configurations, offering flexibility to farmers with different equipment setups. With minor hardware adjustments and software changes, the RoboThinner can also be converted into a precision weeder, making it a versatile tool for farmers looking to adopt sustainable farming practices.
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