In collaboration with KWH, Munckhof and ABB, we are developing orchard sprayers that can be controlled at nozzle level. 

In addition, the sprayers are equipped with laser scanners so we know when a row of trees begins and when it ends, but also to determine where there is a lot of leaf mass and where there is not much leaf mass. 

Work has been done in recent months to enable the laser scanner data to be processed fast enough so that the data can be processed while driving. 

The laser scanner is positioned in front of the sprayer so there is time to process the data and the scanner does not get dirty from spraying. The laser scanner output is then used to determine how much to spray through the nozzles.  

An algorithm developed previously is used for this purpose. Using this algorithm, we were able to increase deposition compared to the standard sprayer.  

In the coming months, we will be working on assembling the various components on the sprayer so that we can carry out the first trials before the summer.  

Article by Peter Frans de Jong