European Success and U.S. Expansion
Marchetti explained that ARA has been successfully operating in Europe for over five years, with hundreds of units deployed. The sprayer’s effectiveness has fueled its expansion into North America, where it is now supported by Ecorobotix’s U.S. subsidiary, currently in Pasco, Washington. Initial adopters have already seen strong returns, with some customers ordering additional units after just one season.
Key Benefits: Labor Reduction, Cost Savings, and Yield Improvements
The ARA sprayer is transforming agricultural operations with its ultra-high precision capabilities. By leveraging advanced AI and 156 individual nozzles, ARA targets weeds with an unparalleled 2.4-inch (6x6 cm) accuracy, reducing overspray and ensuring that only necessary areas receive treatment.
One of the most immediate advantages is labor reduction. ARA’s targeted application allows farmers to complete spraying tasks in fewer passes and with less manual weeding, optimizing efficiency and cutting down on operational costs. Farmers have also reported chemical input reductions of up to 95%, contributing to both economic and environmental sustainability.
Beyond cost savings, ARA also delivers notable yield improvements. By eliminating unnecessary herbicide application and minimizing stress on crops, the sprayer promotes healthier plants. Farmers using ARA have seen yield increases of 3-7%, with some crops benefiting even more due to earlier harvesting opportunities. In high-value crops such as onions, even small yield gains translate into substantial profit margins.
Tackling Drift and Adapting to U.S. Conditions
Another standout feature of ARA is its ability to minimize spray drift, a critical issue for U.S. farmers, particularly in windy regions like the Pacific Northwest (Now certified to reduce drift by 95%!). Unlike conventional boom sprayers, ARA’s precise targeting ensures chemicals reach only the intended plants, reducing drift and maximizing efficiency.
A Transformative Future for Precision Agriculture
With a full schedule of orders for 2025 and increasing interest from farmers across the country, ARA is poised to redefine precision spraying in the U.S. By merging cutting-edge AI technology with practical field applications, Ecorobotix continues to drive sustainable and profitable solutions for modern agriculture.
For the full interview, visit The Onion Podcast at: (READ) (LISTEN)
Noud introduced the ARA precision sprayer for the first time this season, which he employs alongside his existing two hoeing machines. "Mechanical weed control, together with a little chemistry," as he describes it, has proven to be a highly effective approach for his chicory crops. By targeting weeds with Ecorobotix's spot-spraying technology, he conserves spray products and lowers costs. Additionally, the plant-specific application means that chicory plants remain unaffected by the herbicide, promoting better growth and reducing crop stress.
Noud estimates an 80-90% reduction in herbicide use, leading to significant cost savings and environmental benefits. He expressed enthusiasm for the ARA sprayer, noting that he is pleased with the chicory algorithm and the resulting decrease in chemical application frequency.
For the full article in Dutch, visit Nieuweoogst.
Technology Magazine spotlights companies that are harnessing technology to revolutionize the agricultural sector, including agriculture, horticulture, and aquaculture. These advancements aim to enhance crop yields, operational efficiency, and overall profitability. Moreover, the adoption of technology in agriculture aligns with sustainable practices, such as waste reduction and responsible resource management.
(#6) Ecorobotix: Through the study of high-definition images of fields used for agriculture, Ecorobotix enables smart management of crops. Its ARA, managed via a tablet which it says is the most precise sprayer on the market, increases efficiency while reducing the use of crop protection products. ARA technology recognises dozens of different crops and several weeds and is compatible with pastures, field vegetables, large crops, lawns to name a few.
Our inclusion in Technology Magazine's Top 10 AgriTech Companies is a testament to our dedication to transforming the agricultural industry through technology-driven solutions. As the world grapples with the challenges of food production and sustainability, our ARA Smart Sprayer technology offers a promising path forward for more efficient, productive, and sustainable farming practices.
The role of robotics is promising for accelerating the agro-ecological transition of agricultural models, preserving the soil, reducing the drudgery of operators and the noise of work sites. What are the prospects for beet farming?
Le Betteravier français
The trade journal Le Betteravier français has published a detailed article on robotisation as a response to the reduction in work rates caused by agroecology. Our technology is cited as an example.
→ Read article online (on subscription)
While we are still waiting for the first autonomous tractor to appear on the market, robotisation for treatments is becoming more widespread. We take a look at the latest developments at Agrama, which opens today in Berne.
Terre & Nature
The Swiss weekly magazine Terre & Nature reports on the adoption of robotics and autonomous vehicles in Switzerland. It uses AVO and ARA as an example.
Spot-spraying, a method now being explored by all the big names in agricultural mechanics, from Berthoud to John Deere, is coming to the fields, but with a tractor and driver. It's the ideal compromise," says Nicolas Pavillard, a member of the Le Grillon farming community, which farms 230 hectares in Orges (VD), and an agricultural entrepreneur who acquired an SCBA this spring. Its use corresponds more to my working habits than delegating everything to the machine: we continue to treat ourselves, and with an interesting work rate.
Terre & Nature
→ Read article online (in French)
The Ara mounted sprayer from Switzerland's Ecorobotix performs targeted treatments with unprecedented precision
RÉUSSIR Machinisme
During SIMA 2022, the French specialised website RÉUSSIR Machinisme published a detailed article on Ecorobotix. It also carried an interview with our Chief Business Officer, Claude Juriens.
Watch the interview with Claude Juriens ????
Ecorobotix launches ultra-precise ARA spotsprayer
Ahead of upcoming Paris trade show SIMA, Swiss company Ecorobotix just started marketing its high-precision mounted sprayer ARA. The tool has proved its worth on meadows and is now ready for many row crops, from beetroot to field vegetables and rape.
La France Agricole
La France Agricole released a detailed article presenting our ARA device, its technical and performance details.
→ Read article online (in French)
The plant protection product sprayer developed by the Y-Parc firm allows enormous savings in chemicals in the fields. The order book is already full.
24 Heures
Swiss newspaper 24 Heures published a detailed article on our technology and its performance, particularly in terms of reducing the use of plant protection products.
→ Read the article online (on subscription)
Technical solutions for vegetable production
Vegetable Growing Field Day at Queckbrunnerhof
The Palatinate Vegetable Growing Field Day at the Queckbrunnerhof near Schifferstadt at the beginning of September attracts vegetable growers and interested parties from all over Germany and neighbouring countries every year who want to find out about new products. At the machinery exhibition, technical solutions for mechanical weed control and plant protection as well as planting and sowing technology were discussed.The story features our technology, that was showcased by our partner Agravis:
"Effective and efficient: This is how dock control works"
German magazine Allgäuer Bauernblatt spoke with Claude Juriens, sales manager of Ecorobotix. They talked about the use of ARA in Swiss meadows and pastures. The article was featured in issue 36 (September 8, 2022).
