About
Bilberry is an AI-driven smart spraying solution designed for modern sustainable farming. Now operating under the PTx Trimble umbrella, it integrates directly with existing sprayer equipment, transforming them into intelligent machines capable of identifying and targeting weeds with surgical precision — without harming surrounding crops. At the core of its process is a three-step pipeline: cameras scan the field and capture live imagery, embedded onboard computers perform real-time deep learning analysis to detect weeds, and the system then activates only the relevant nozzles to spray identified targets. Operators can monitor activity and configure targets via an in-cab display, giving them full control throughout the operation. Bilberry supports both Green-on-Brown applications (weeds against bare soil) and the more complex Green-on-Green scenarios (weeds among crop canopy), enabling weed control at multiple stages of crop growth. The system can achieve up to 98% reduction in chemical usage in ideal conditions and consistently exceeds 80% herbicide savings on average. Beyond cost savings, Bilberry supports resistance management by enabling higher-concentration, more targeted treatments — reducing the conditions that lead to herbicide-resistant weed populations. It is purpose-built for commercial and large-scale farming operations seeking to modernize crop protection while meeting environmental and sustainability goals.
Key Features
- Real-Time Weed Detection: Onboard cameras and embedded AI computers analyze field imagery in real time, identifying weeds with high accuracy during normal spraying operations.
- Targeted Spot Spraying: Only the nozzles aimed at detected weeds are activated, eliminating wasteful broadcast spraying across entire fields.
- Green-on-Green & Green-on-Brown Support: The system handles both bare-soil weed scenarios and the more challenging task of detecting weeds within an established crop canopy.
- In-Cab Operator Control: Farmers can select which weed species to target and which crops to protect directly from the cab display, keeping control in their hands.
- Herbicide Resistance Management: By enabling higher-dose, site-specific applications, Bilberry helps reduce the selective pressure that leads to herbicide-resistant weed populations.
Use Cases
- Large-scale row crop farming operations looking to reduce herbicide spending while maintaining weed control efficacy.
- Sustainable and regenerative farms seeking to minimize chemical inputs and environmental footprint without sacrificing yield.
- Agricultural enterprises managing herbicide resistance by enabling precise, higher-dose spot treatments on resistant weed populations.
- Growers transitioning from conventional broadcast spraying to precision agriculture as part of a broader digital farming strategy.
- Farming cooperatives and agribusinesses working to meet environmental compliance targets or sustainability certification requirements.
Pros
- Massive Herbicide Savings: Reduces herbicide usage by more than 80% on average — and up to 98% in optimal conditions — directly cutting input costs for growers.
- Environmental Impact Reduction: Targeted spraying minimizes chemical runoff, soil contamination, and exposure to non-target plants and beneficial organisms.
- Works with Existing Equipment: The system integrates with farmers' current sprayers, reducing the need for entirely new machinery and lowering adoption barriers.
- Real-Time Operation: No need to stop or post-process — detection and spraying happen simultaneously at field speed, maintaining operational efficiency.
Cons
- Hardware Dependency: The solution requires physical installation of cameras and embedded computing hardware on sprayer equipment, adding upfront complexity and cost.
- Enterprise-Scale Focus: Best suited for large commercial farming operations; smaller smallholder farms may find the investment difficult to justify.
- Environmental Variability: Detection accuracy may vary depending on crop density, growth stage, lighting conditions, and weed species diversity in a given field.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Bilberry detect weeds in real time?
Bilberry uses cameras mounted on the sprayer to continuously capture field imagery. Embedded onboard computers run deep learning models that classify plants as crops or weeds in milliseconds, enabling instant nozzle activation only where weeds are detected.
What herbicide savings can growers expect?
On average, Bilberry reduces herbicide usage by more than 80%. Under optimal field conditions — such as low crop density and clear weed visibility — savings can reach up to 98%.
Does it work when weeds are growing among crops (Green-on-Green)?
Yes. Bilberry supports both Green-on-Brown applications (weeds on bare soil) and Green-on-Green applications (weeds within a crop canopy), covering multiple weed-control scenarios across the growing season.
Is Bilberry compatible with existing sprayers?
Bilberry is designed to integrate with existing sprayer equipment. The system adds cameras and embedded computing hardware to transform standard sprayers into intelligent spot-spraying machines.
Who is behind Bilberry?
Bilberry was founded as an independent precision agriculture company and is now part of PTx Trimble, a leader in agricultural technology solutions.
