Strategic Elements automation technology to be used in fight against weeds

Strategic Elements Ltd (ASX:SOR) subsidiary Stealth Technologies has formed a new collaboration in which it will use its leading-edge autonomous technologies in the fight against weeds.

The collaboration with the Australian Herbicide Resistance Initiative (AHRI) and The University of Western Australia School of Agriculture and Environment (UWA) is seeking to automate weed detection and management.

This work has major implications for agriculture with the need for excessive use of chemicals and production loss costs being significant issues at a global level.*Huge cost of weeds*

The estimated cost of weeds in Australian cropping systems stands at A$3.3 billion annually while total annual cost in the US is estimated at $US34.5 billion.

Stealth Technologies is developing a device that will automate the capture and integration of multiple forms of data including LIDAR, GPS, IMU and high definition cameras to produce 3D location maps of agricultural weeds.

3D mapping of weeds with highly accurate georeferenced coordinates will enable farmers to target them much more effectively by applying modern agronomy to weed management.