Empowering a US-based smart agro-solution

provider with Computer Vision to automate key

farming processes

e-con Systems helped one of the largest smart farming solution

providers in the US region maximize crop yield and optimize

resources like water by automating critical and complex farming

activities. We also enabled image processing for the delivery of real-time analytics of field

and crop statuses that led to early detection of growth inhibitors like insects and weeds.

Hence, the crop yield could be more sustainable - bringing in a higher bottom-line revenue.

About the client

The client is one of the world’s leading US-based providers of AI-powered, self-learning

farming solutions to the agricultural sector. They help customers manage their farming

ecosystems by equipping them with powerful data insights to identify patterns, predict

trends, and enable business growth. Their global footprint extends across the Americas

region.
Key challenges and customer’s expectations
The client wanted to integrate a vision-powered rover to solve two key problems at different

stages of crop life. One was during the early crop stage - to inspect the crop regularly for the

presence of larvae, insects, and weeds. The other was during the harvest stage – to evaluate

the stage of the crop and pick them on a timely basis and sort them based on quality.

while capturing high-quality images in color. Otherwise, their algorithms wouldn’t be able to

make the right decisions. Some of the client’s other unique requirements were:

Multispectral imaging with HDR capability

Full support for NVIDIA Jetson Xavier AGX

Selection of the camera module

e-con Systems offered a solution with two cameras for the rover. The first was the 2MP

e-CAM20_CU0230_MOD color camera module for capturing high-quality color images in

relatively low light conditions. These images could then be processed by algorithms that use

parameters to match the exact color and texture of crops.

The second was See3CAM_20CUG - a monochrome camera module that comes with a

global shutter sensor for capturing images at a high frame rate without any motion blur. It

meant that the images from this sensor could be used by the algorithm to detect various

problems in the early crop stage by rapidly scanning the field.

How e-con Systems delivered a hassle-free solution?

The team at e-con Systems worked with the customer from day one to identify the two

camera modules, along with the required proof of concept for the algorithms.
We positioned the camera in the rover and interfaced it with the NVIDIA Jetson processing

unit. For practical implementation purposes, the color camera module was interfaced over

the MIPI interface using an IPEX cable. See3CAM_20CUG was connected via the USB

interface as the monochrome camera. During the field trials, we moved the camera around

the rover in different positions until a best-fit position was finalized. The USB Interface and the

cabling gave us all the flexibility we needed in the implementation phase.

The prototype design was completed and integrated with the rover - ensuring.

High color reproduction to increase the accuracy of real-time data

No motion blur despite constant movement of the mobile rover

End-to-end processing support for Computer Vision

Business benefits
Off-the-shelf camera module and a custom-built solution

Rapid-fire integration of camera modules into the hardware unit – resulting in faster
volume production than ever anticipated

Complete automation of repetitive, labor-intensive skilled work

Maximizing the profitability of crop yields by providing deep-dive insights on growth

deterrents (insects, weeds, etc.) that often lead to poor yield

Talk to us
Would you like to know more about how you can use AI-powered computer vision solution to

automate critical areas of your farming activities?

Connect with our product manager who worked on this vision-based solution, and

get started!
Gomathi Sankar

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +1-408-766-7503

About e-con Systems™

e-con Systems™ is a leading OEM camera manufacturer with 17+ years of experience and

expertise in embedded vision. It focuses on delivering vision and camera solutions to

industries such as retail, medical and industrial. The company’s wide portfolio of products

includes MIPI camera modules, GMSL cameras, USB 3.1 Gen 1 cameras, stereo cameras etc.

e-con Systems™ strives to become a global leader in the embedded vision space through

continuous innovation, and helping its customers accelerate product development and

reduce time to market. It has built over 250+ product solutions and shipped over millions of

cameras around the globe. What sets the company apart is its deep expertise in building

customized product designs while ensuring rapid prototyping and custom modifications in

hardware as well as software.

Disclaimer and copyright statement

This content is owned by e-con Systems and not meant for public distribution. Any reuse of

this content can be done only with the prior written permission from e-con Systems. e-con

Systems also holds the right to modify any information stated in the document.