Driverless sprayers set for South African orchards

South Africa's fruit growers will soon see the country's first autonomous spraying technology in action when Orchard Agri launches the OSAM S500 PRO Autonomous Multi-Function Sprayer by LJ Tech in November.

- By Glenneis Kriel

The OSAM S500 PRO is a self-driving sprayer developed for high-value crops, including apples, citrus, grapes, pears, peaches, kiwis, and berries.

Using artificial intelligence, precision spraying, the global positioning system, light detection and ranging technologies, the machine drives itself through orchards and vineyards, applying chemicals only where needed.

This targeted approach not only improves spray accuracy and coverage, but cuts wastage, with trials showing input savings of up to 20%, according to Christiaan van Rensburg, managing director of Orchard Agri.