In agriculture, the quality with which the seed is planted in the soil is vital for the crop’s eventual yield. With the Intelligent Planting Solution, Bosch has devised a system that helps to maximize the productivity potential of the field by optimizing the seeding process on the basis of connectivity and sensor data. Using intelligent software and proven components from high-volume automotive production, the Intelligent Planting Solution enables farmers to achieve the most efficient seeding as well as flexible control over the process thanks to real-time information.
connected
Intelligent software and proven components from the automotive sector
modular
Can be adapted to customer needs and reduces development costs
efficient
Optimal seed control ensures the correct and most efficient seeding process
flexible
Enables operation with fixed or variable target rates
How the Intelligent Planting Solution works
In the Intelligent Planting Solution, Bosch combines dust- and water-resistant components from high-volume automotive production to form a modular concept. The hydraulic system of the tractor supplies the Intelligent Planting Solution with hydraulic energy, which is converted into electrical energy by the power box in order to supply the components assembled in the seeder. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) receives information from the implement, speed and seed sensors, as well as from the GNSS. On the basis of this digital data, the ECU sets the rotational speed of the electric motor, which in turn determines the seed quantity dispensed per rotation.
The ECU also provides the information to be shared with the user via the display inside the driver’s cab and – by means of the Connectivity Control Unit (CCU) – to connected devices via applications and websites. This includes such important parameters as speed, singulation, seed count, seed tank level, total working hours, and a navigation map. If the system detects any outlying parameters during the process (e.g. missing seed), it issues an immediate warning to the user, who can then react accordingly.
One solution four functions
Optimize Planting
Thanks to the Intelligent Planting Solution, the seeding process is now becoming much easier and more optimized. Using the data collected by the sensors, the system controls the optimal seed quantity for each row individually. By displaying the controlling parameters – such as singulation, seed quantity, and displacement – in real time, the performance of the seeding process can be monitored by the user inside the driver’s cab and by connected devices. This also enables a wide variety of statistics to be calculated for a better understanding of the seeding process, as well as enabling automated system alerts in the event of a problem.
SEED CONTROL ON CURVED PATHS
Having to drive angular routes and curves during the seeding process can pose a challenge for the farmer and lead to an unintended distribution of the seed. With the Intelligent Planting Solution, this is taken care of automatically. The system ensures an optimal seeding rate in curved paths by precisely adapting the seed quantity at the inside and outside curve radius alike.
PRESCRIPTION MAPS FOR DYNAMIC SEED TARGET RATES
The fertility of the soil can change considerably over the area that has to be planted. The Intelligent Planting Solution analyzes the prescription maps when deciding the quantity of seed to be used. The system then automatically adapts the quantity to the prescription data stored in the map, thus maximizing productivity for each piece of land. Manual adjustments are not needed.
OVERLAP CONTROL
With the Intelligent Planting Solution, farmers no longer need to worry about overlapping seeding rows. The system reliably detects already planted areas and shuts off the specific rows where the already planted row begins. In turn, the process is immediately resumed wherever the planted area ends. This not only avoids double seeding, but also reduces the plants’ concurrence due to the lack of overlaps.
