Rugged computers increase efficiency in precision agriculture

“The compact format, high performance and great resistance to wear and tear makes the rugged PCs from JLT very suitable to our needs,” comments Steketee’s R&D Director.

Steketee is one of the leading companies in the field of mechanical weeding technology for precision agriculture. The company is part of the family-owned LEMKEN group and has its headquarters and production facility in Stad aan ‘t Haringvliet, the Netherlands. Since 2007 the focus has been on innovative camera technology for automatic machine guidance.

Increasing yields, the high-tech way

For many years, Steketee has supplied agricultural businesses with an innovative range of “smart farming” equipment. With use of IT the machinery helps farmers increase efficiency and improve crop yields.

Their high-tech solutions offer unparalleled reliability and market-leading accuracy thanks to integrating their software with rugged computers from JLT Mobile Computers.

Exceptional reliability with JLT rugged computer onboard

For example the IC-Light solution uses an integrated, high-definition camera to detect crops in the field. The camera renders a digital image that can be used to detect cultivated crops and enable hoeing machine alignment with outstanding accuracy. The same digital image can also be used to measure green crop surfaces, capture discolorations or count crops.

By integrating the hoeing software with JLT’s rugged VERSO™+ 10 computer, farmers get exceptional reliability and high computing performance.

Used in any weather conditions

By its very nature agriculture occurs in a demanding environment and any equipment used must be able to cope with the harsh conditions. The rugged in-vehicle computers installed in Steketee’s cultivation solutions withstand significant temperature changes and severe vibrations. The devices are also IP65 dust and waterproof, so ideal for use outdoors in the agriculture industry.

Compared to modern consumer devices, JLT’s computers provide a user-friendly experience. The revolutionary PowerTouch™ display technology is virtually unbreakable, but also responds to both gloved and ungloved hands. The clear and bright projected capacitive touch screen makes it perfectly readable in any conditions, including direct sunlight.

Simple mounting and dismounting brings several advantages

As well as getting real-time visualization of crop mapping information without leaving the field, Steketee also values the usability and flexibility of JLT’s devices.

“The ease with which they can be mounted and dismounted in the farmers’ tractor is another great advantage as this simplifies service and allows devices to be ported between tractors or removed at the end of the working day to prevent theft,” says Steketee’s R&D Director.