Waterproof Edge AI Computers Aids Agriculture Autonomy

Water and dustproof edge AI computers enhance autonomous agricultural machinery by enabling real-time, on-site data processing, even in harsh, dusty and wet conditions. These systems leverage AI algorithms to process sensor data from cameras, LiDAR, and soil moisture sensors, allowing machines to make immediate decisions for tasks like planting, irrigation, and harvesting. By operating at the "edge" of the network, they reduce the reliance on cloud computing, ensuring faster response times, increased reliability, and minimized latency, critical for autonomous operations.

The water/ dustproof design ensures that these systems can function in various environmental conditions, from rain to irrigation, without risk of failure, making them ideal for outdoor agricultural settings. This rugged durability, combined with AI's precision, improves machinery performance, enabling more accurate and efficient tasks, such as optimized pesticide spraying, targeted fertilization, and autonomous weeding.

As a result, these systems help reduce resource consumption, increase crop yields, and lower operational costs, ultimately leading to higher productivity and profitability compared to traditional farming methods. The ability to run continuous operations 24/7, even in adverse weather, helps maintain consistency and precision, contributing to higher-than-average output and more sustainable agricultural practices.

Implementing water/ dustproof edge AI systems in agricultural machinery presents several challenges. Operating under extreme heat, direct sunlight, and fluctuating temperatures can strain electronic components, leading to potential overheating or malfunctions. Waterproofing against liquids like pesticides, rain, or irrigation is crucial to ensure the system remains functional in diverse conditions, requiring specialized enclosures and seals to prevent moisture damage. Additionally, agricultural environments expose systems to dust, dirt, and debris, which can clog system connectors, vents or affect sensors, necessitating regular cleansing.

The constant shock and vibration from rough terrain can cause wear and tear on hardware and connectors, demanding durable, shock-resistant designs to maintain reliability. Furthermore, wireless communication for data upload/download needs to be resilient, ensuring continuous connectivity across large fields. Solutions such as 4G, 5G, or low-power wide-area networks (LPWAN) help transmit data between machines and the central system, but coverage (dead-zone) and interference can be problematic in remote areas.

Coordinating multiple autonomous machines requires seamless interconnection and collaboration. Technologies like mesh networks or vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication enable machines to exchange data, adjust their actions in real-time, and optimize task distribution across the field. Ensuring compatibility and efficient synchronization between machines is essential for maximizing operational efficiency and reducing downtime, all while maintaining a reliable and secure communication infrastructure.

One of our partners that specifically creates autonomous systems for agriculture machinery chose Neousys' waterproof panel PC, the NRU-170-PPC. A quick rundown of reason why the system was chosen in the first place.

• IP66 water and dust proof：Being IP66 gives NRU-170-PPC the advantage of being able to operate in agriculture environments. When deployed in a machine, whether in direct sunlight where it's dusty, spraying pesticides, irrigation, or in the rain, the environmental condition effects on it are almost non-existent.
• FAKRA Z (GMSL2) or M12 camera connector：The FAKRA Z connector is specifically designed for GMSL automotive cameras and supports cameras utilizing IMX390, ISX031, and IMX490 CMOS sensors with pre-integrated drivers. Or, the other option is M12 PoE+ ports that can support IP/ industrial cameras, LiDARs, sensors, etc. Both are ideal for vehicle perception applications.
• Wireless communication via 4G LTE/ 5G NR：The system comes with a mini-PCIe for CAN/ COM/ WiFi modules that can be used for on-field V2V machine inter-communications; and an M.2 B-key socket for 4G LTE/ 5G NR, install a dual-SIM module and implement SIMs from different providers for dead-zone prevention and redundancy, ensuring constant communications.