FarmSense automates real-time insect monitoring

FarmSense announced the debut of its smart pest monitoring system, helping farmers adopt the latest in artificial intelligence and analytics to improve insect monitoring and crop management. FarmSense’s FlightSensor uses novel optical sensor technology to automate the process of real-time insect classification and counting, providing immediate access for farmers to make decisions on crop and pest control.

Lower pesticide and insecticide use

FarmSense says its monitoring system can help farmers lower pesticide and insecticide use by optimising their application in both space and time. Data is sent to the FarmSense cloud via wireless. The sensor comes in a variety of sizes, and the algorithm can be adjusted depending on what insects a farmer needs to monitor.

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A FarmSense insect trap in an orchard. – Photo: FarmSense

No need for sticky traps and manual insect counts

The smart system started as an academic collaboration, but co-founders Eamonn Keogh and Shailendra Singh say they quickly identified the benefits of real-world application. “The machine learning community examines data in so many other areas, like healthcare and credit scoring, but surprisingly, no one was tackling entomology,” says Keogh. “This technology virtually eliminates the need for sticky traps and manual insect counts.”

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FarmSense co-founders, Shailendra Singh and Eamonn Keogh. – Photo: FarmSense

Data accessible via smartphone

Dr. Mark Hoddle, is a field entomologist at the University of California Riverside and an early customer. “The insect analytics they provide allows me to really understand what is happening in specific areas of the orchard in near real-time. Better yet, the data are accessible via my phone and downloadable for analysis making quick decisions easy.”

The FarmSense Smart Pest Monitoring System is currently offered only to selected partners, but it will be available to all in January 2021.