K.U.L.T. InRow eActuator, K.U.L.T.iScan & K.U.L.T.aiLaser by K.U.L.T.

K.U.L.T.aiLaser
With its K.U.L.T.aiLaser, K.U.L.T. Kress is also entering a new era in weed control.
The highly precise laser technology of K.U.L.T. Kress can control weeds in the immediate vicinity of the crop without affecting the soil structure. This is possible as early as the cotyledon stage, to effectively prevent the growth of competing species without the use of chemicals. Optical sensors continuously capture images of the crop. These images are analysed using artificial intelligence (AI). The crop is identified and distinguished from weeds.
Then, all the undesirable species are denatured in a targeted way and with surgical precision by the heat of the laser. This new method of weed control works extremely well in sensitive, densely-sown crops, as is currently the case with carrots. What’s more, the laser works independently of soil conditions and can therefore be used over a wider time window.
With mechanical methods, the challenge is to control weeds without damaging the crop, which is very difficult when crops are just starting to grow, as any movement of soil must be avoided in the immediate vicinity of the crop. This is where the K.U.L.T.aiLaser comes in, taking mechanical weed control to a new level.
The K.U.L.T.aiLaser is a collaboration between K.U.L.T. Kress Umweltschonende Landtechnik GmbH and SIA WeedBot.
K.U.L.T.iScan
The new K.U.L.T.iScan module uses artificial intelligence (AI) to control weed growth, reducing the need for labour or herbicides.
The heart of the module is the plant recognition system. The images generated are analysed by the software to determine the exact position of the centre of the plant, so that InRow actuators can be used to hoe the soil as precisely as possible, as close as possible to the plant.
After the inter-plant blades (InRow) have passed through, Kress fingers can be used to complete the work by separating the soil from the weeds that have already been cut in order to improve the efficiency of the pass and better control regrowth.
The entire machine is camera-guided, enabling it to work effectively at more advanced stages and without the need for an inter-plant module.
For the time being, technical validation has been carried out on organic sugar beet, but the module is already being used on other crops with very satisfactory results. With fewer active ingredients available for conventional crops, and political and social demands for alternative weed management methods, the K.U.L.TiScan is another way of meeting these challenges.
K.U.L.T. InRow eActuator
The K.U.L.T. InRow eActuator is an electromechanical weed control module that can be easily integrated into agricultural systems using autonomous or semi-autonomous tractors and electric robots. It meets the requirements of future-oriented agriculture. Its intelligent motor control and BUS gateway ensure precise, reliable weed control.
Advantages of the K.U.L.T. InRow eActuator compared with hydraulic and pneumatic actuators:
- Constant control of working speed, even in variable soil conditions.
- Energy-efficient operation, independent of fossil fuels.
- Reduced mechanical complexity for high reliability and low maintenance.
- Operates independently of oil temperature and viscosity.
- Reduced weight, resulting in less soil compression.
- Remote diagnostics to avoid downtime.
- Features a CAN BUS gateway, making it easy to retrofit or integrate into an intelligent machine.
- Controls blade opening frequency without manual intervention, making it easy to retrofit and integrate into intelligent equipment solutions, even from other manufacturers.
The K.U.L.T. InRow eActuator is the result of a collaboration with IWN GmbH & Co. KG.
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