13 PHOTO: precision.ai Perhaps the most unique feature of the AirSprayer is its 541-square-foot (50.3m) parachute, which customers can install in about 15 minutes. The parachute helps the applicator fly and carry large liquid product volumes. And it supports travel at slower speeds (38mph/61kph) for precision spraying passes. Overall, the parachute provides multiple advantages, McCann said. “First, since there aren’t downward-facing propellers, you don’t get the drift or unevenness issues you get with traditional drones,” he said. Another benefit is transportability. Because the parachute can be removed, the AirSprayer can be moved easier between fields. “The parachute can fold up into a backpack,” McCann said. “It’s not like you have to block the highway or have a plane with 30-foot wings sticking out on either side.” The AirSprayer can easily fit on a flatbed or trailer for transportation. With a 100-gallon dual tank, the AirSprayer can cover about 92 acres per hour. The unit can do this in part because of its autonomous operation. In one pass, the unit images the field and applies AI to the images to separate weeds from crops, then target sprays the weeds specifically with products. The onboard SOLV camera has a precise image resolution of 0.5mm. “If you’re doing a herbicide application it’ll actually leave the nozzles off unless you’re over top of a weed,” he said. In doing so, you’re spraying substantially less than you normally would. It’s about an 83 per cent savings on chemicals.” In terms of operation costs, Precision AI estimates the AirSprayer costs less than $2.85 per acre, compared to between $6 and $13 per acre for traditional drone technology. AirSprayers are already flying in the U.S. McCann estimates these units will be allowed to fly in Canada in time for the 2025 growing season. | pag “IF YOU’RE DOING A HERBICIDE APPLICATION IT’LL ACTUALLY LEAVE THE NOZZLES OFF UNLESS YOU’RE OVER TOP OF A WEED. IN DOING SO, YOU’RE SPRAYING SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THAN YOU NORMALLY WOULD. IT’S ABOUT AN 83 PER CENT SAVINGS ON CHEMICALS.”
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