TerraClear Launches TerraScout Autonomous Robot to Deliver Real-Time Field Intelligence and Precision Farming Automation

Image Courtesy: Public Domain

TerraClear, a leader in agricultural automation, announced the launch of TerraScout, a fully autonomous robot designed to collect ultra-high-resolution imagery across the entire field at high productivity and low cost. It then converts that field intelligence into prescriptions and precision mission plans for existing farm equipment to deliver high ROI results.

Founded in 2017, TerraClear has mapped nearly 1 million acres at ultra-high resolution and served over 1,000 farm operations by bridging the gap between high resolution imagery and in-field action. TerraClear's initial focus was AI-generated rock maps allowing farmers to ease the burden of annual rock clearing, one of the worst jobs on the farm. It is now rapidly expanding into AI-identification and management of weeds. Across both applications TerraClear can consistently demonstrate over a 5X return on investment, addressing one of the critical barriers to precision technology adoption.

TerraScout represents the next evolution of TerraClear's mission; to develop a single full-stack solution that enables autonomous image collection and real-time mission plans for existing farm equipment.

"We replace field-level guesswork with plant-level precision to slash input costs and maximize yields," said Devin Lammers, CEO of TerraClear. "TerraScout will scout entire fields in almost any condition and turn that intelligence into precise action for existing crews and equipment. Today we focus that output on rock and weed management, but the future applications for this platform are vast. It is my firm belief that this technology will drive the next era of farm productivity gains."

TerraScout's Capabilities:

• With an image resolution of 1mm GSD, it collects over 4 billion image samples per acre across every acre.
• Onboard edge-compute technology allows TerraScout to turn massive image datasets into actionable maps in real-time.
• Capable of mapping over 1,000 acres per day at speeds of up to 15 mph with a 60-foot mapping swath.
• Operating fully autonomously for up to six hours without refueling, the robot allows growers to scout entire farms without tying up crews.
• Equipped with onboard artificial lighting, TerraScout can operate 24/7, providing critical data in most weather conditions, day or night.

Actionable Mission Plans: 

• Rock Management: Detects rocks 8 inches and larger and provides an optimal picking path, allowing farmers to find on average 3x more rocks and pick them 3-5x faster. Farmers on average see a 5x ROI using this solution.
• Weed Management: Analyzes fields on a 1 square foot grid to determine weed pressure. Initial models identify density, with future models identifying weed species and maturity. Mission plans can be sent directly to spray drones and ground-based sprayers, making nearly any modern sprayer precision-capable. Farmers can expect to see a 10x ROI using Weed Management solutions.
• Stand Counts: Simultaneous with weed mapping, TerraScout assesses emergence quality and stand counts, generating two powerful data layers in a single pass.
• Future Applications: With continued AI model development, TerraScout is capable of supporting phenotyping, mapping pest/disease pressure, informing nutrition decisions and more.

"TerraScout represents a shift from manual field scouting and pretty satellite imagery to continuous full-field digital intelligence," said Don Scribner, Head of Product at TerraClear. "By processing data on the machine, we're giving farmers access to output in real-time. With onboard Starlink, maps are sent to our mobile app before TerraScout even leaves the field. Armed with numerous AI models, TerraScout will pay extraordinary attention to field signals and unlock enormous productivity gains."