A weeding unit for treating an agricultural field includes a carrier, at least one working lever movably connected with the carrier, at least one actuator for moving the at least one working lever, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to distinguish crop from weed and to control the at least one actuator for treating the weed. The at least one working lever includes a weeding knife and at least one harrowing tine. Methods for treating an agricultural field are also disclosed.

A weeding unit for treating an agricultural field includes a carrier, at least one working lever movably connected with the carrier, at least one actuator for moving the at least one working lever, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to distinguish crop from weed and to control the at least one actuator for treating the weed. The at least one working lever includes a weeding knife and at least one harrowing tine. Methods for treating an agricultural field are also disclosed.

A method for detecting real lateral locations of target plants includes: recording an image of a ground area at a camera; detecting a target plant in the image; accessing a lateral pixel location of the target plant in the image; for each tool module in a set of tool modules arranged behind the camera and in contact with a plant bed: recording an extension distance of the tool module; and recording a lateral position of the tool module relative to the camera; estimating a depth profile of the plant bed proximal the target plant based on the extension distance and the lateral position of each tool module; estimating a lateral location of the target plant based on the lateral pixel location of the target plant and the depth profile of the plant bed surface proximal the target plant; and driving a tool module to a lateral position aligned with the lateral location of the target plant.

An adjustment assembly configured to be coupled with a longitudinal support assembly of a cultivator assembly is disclosed. The adjustment assembly includes a swing arm rotationally coupled to the longitudinal support assembly, a first gang unit rotationally coupled with the swing arm and a second gang unit spaced apart from the first gang unit and rotationally coupled with the swing arm. A first gang adjustment mechanism rotates the first gang unit with respect to the longitudinal support assembly and a second gang adjustment mechanism rotates the second gang unit with respect to the longitudinal support assembly.

System that automates crop maintenance activities, such as cultivating and weeding, with a device that intelligently and independently controls two blades that drag along either side of a crop row using sensors to repeatedly track the position of the blades and of the plants in the row. Blades may be moved in and out independently using an actuator for each blade to contour closely around the individual plants, even if plants or rows vary in their positions, and even if plant sizes and shapes differ. An illustrative system may use a single camera and a processor per crop row; the processor may analyze camera images to locate plant positions and shapes, to plan blade trajectories, and to control blade actuators. The processor may be able to control blade movement precisely to respond quickly to sensor input on changes in plant positions, shapes, and sizes along the row.

A device for protecting crop plants (P) and/or sown seeds (S) against unwanted plants is provided to avoid the use of chemical weed control agents or herbicides. The device includes a ribbon or lace-shaped structure on which a plurality of annular elements are arranged at a distance from one another, in which the structure is designed to be applied to a cultivated surface (F) such that each element encloses the location (O) of a crop plant (P) or sown seed (S), and wherein each element includes a detectable means for marking the location concerned (O1, O2, . . . On) for detection by a machine for controlling mechanical weed control mechanisms. The device is thus an auxiliary or marking means which can be easily applied on the cultivated surface along the row of plants or seeds and allows reliable detection by machine of the locations of plants or seeds, zones to be protected.

A device for protecting crop plants (P) and/or sown seeds (S) against unwanted plants is provided to avoid the use of chemical weed control agents or herbicides. The device includes a ribbon or lace-shaped structure on which a plurality of annular elements are arranged at a distance from one another, in which the structure is designed to be applied to a cultivated surface (F) such that each element encloses the location (O) of a crop plant (P) or sown seed (S), and wherein each element includes a detectable means for marking the location concerned (O1, O2, . . . On) for detection by a machine for controlling mechanical weed control mechanisms. The device is thus an auxiliary or marking means which can be easily applied on the cultivated surface along the row of plants or seeds and allows reliable detection by machine of the locations of plants or seeds, zones to be protected.

An apparatus and method for removing weeds from an aesthetic mulch garden using an autonomous battery-powered differential-wheeled robot is disclosed. The boundary of the domain of said aesthetic mulch garden is predefined by the user and said robot is confined to patrol within said domain. The robot searches for weeds using machine vision which seeks colorimetric contrast between weeds and mulch and undergoes a novel randomized reflective trajectory to patrol said domain. An independent collision avoidance system allows said robot to avoid interaction with non-weed objects. Said robot has a central processing unit (CPU) receiving input from said machine vision system which positions a device for weed extraction and controls said extraction. A built-in suction system and receptacle is incorporated in said robot to maintain the weed extraction device clean and ready for operation while storing extracted weeds for later disposal.

An apparatus and method for removing weeds from an aesthetic mulch garden using an autonomous battery-powered differential-wheeled robot is disclosed. The boundary of the domain of said aesthetic mulch garden is predefined by the user and said robot is confined to patrol within said domain. The robot searches for weeds using machine vision which seeks colorimetric contrast between weeds and mulch and undergoes a novel randomized reflective trajectory to patrol said domain. An independent collision avoidance system allows said robot to avoid interaction with non-weed objects. Said robot has a central processing unit (CPU) receiving input from said machine vision system which positions a device for weed extraction and controls said extraction. A built-in suction system and receptacle is incorporated in said robot to maintain the weed extraction device clean and ready for operation while storing extracted weeds for later disposal.

A crop management apparatus for selectively severing plant items from a plurality of plants. The apparatus comprises: a sensor unit for sensing aspects of the plurality of plants and generating data indicative thereof; a control unit for processing the data to determine a location of a target plant item suitable for severing; a cutter unit comprising at least one selectively deployable cutter for severing the target plant item from its respective plant; and a prime mover for moving the sensor unit and the at least one selectively deployable cutter across the plurality of plants. The control unit outputs a control signal to deploy the at least one selectively deployable cutter at least in part based on the determined location of the target plant item. When the at least one selectively deployable cutter is in a deployed state, severance of the target plant item occurs at least in part based on movement of the prime mover.