IIT Kanpur develops LiDAR-based intelligent sprayer to enhance orchard farming

NEW DELHI: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, has developed LiDAR-based intelligent sprayer technology for orchard farming. The institute has made the new technology in partnership with SimDaaS Autonomy pvt ltd and AV Agritech.

The developed technology aims at minimising agrochemical wastage and will promote sustainable agricultural practices by increasing efficiency through advanced precision technology, the institute said in an official statement. “Supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the IDEAS TiH, ISI Kolkata project, the technology represents a significant leap forward in smart farming solutions,” the institute added.

Explaining the dynamics of LiDAR-based intelligent sprayer technology, Bharat Lohani, professor at IIT Kanpur, said: “The LiDAR-based intelligent sprayer marks a paradigm shift in orchard farming. It combines precision agriculture with cutting-edge technology, addressing the dual challenge of reducing agrochemical overuse and ensuring sustainable farming practices. This innovation empowers farmers with smarter tools while safeguarding the environment for future generations. Our vision is to create solutions that are not only effective but also accessible and practical for farmers across the country, integrating advanced technology into everyday farming.”

Lohani was assisted by SimDaaS Autonomy and Akshat Arya in developing the LiDAR-based intelligent sprayer technology.

On January 20, IIT Kanpur announced to build the translational and transformative training and investigations Lab (T3i Lab) which will be part of the computer science and engineering department at the institute.

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The LiDAR-based intelligent sprayer has a day and night capability that can scan trees by ensuring precision in chemical application and optimising resource utilisation. The system is equipped with an integrated GPS-enabled mobile app that provides real-time updates on sprayed areas, agrochemical consumption, and device performance, the institute said.

Farmers can monitor and control the device remotely due to its user-friendly design. It is also equipped with waterproof connectors and an easy plug-and-play setup that will ensure a smooth adoption process for farmers, the institute added.

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Problems such as preventing speed overruns and lane skipping are also addressed by the system to help the farmers by generating alerts that will notify them of such issues. The institute also stated that in the next three months, four devices will be deployed across various orchards for further fine-tuning. These trials aim to ensure the system’s adaptability to diverse crops and farming conditions.

With mass production expected in the upcoming months, the price is expected to drop further, making it accessible to farmers across the country and globally, it added.