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Bioeconomy Science Institute: Map & Zap® - AI driven early growth stage weed identification and laser-zapping solution

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Opportunity for

  • Industry partners and investors to take the Map and Zap® technology to market. 
    ^This opportunity is only for professional and sophisticated investors.

Opportunity description

Industry challenge:

Large companies such as Bayer are incurring significant costs in legal claims and provisions related to the use of Glyphosate (USD16 billion has been set aside). Weeds are estimated to cost New Zealand agriculture and forestry NZD1.7 billion, the Australian agricultural industry AUD3.3 billion and the US agricultural industry USD33 billion per annum (in lost crop production). The impact in NZ is an under-estimate. For example, J.T. Saunders et al (2017) found that the economic cost of giant buttercup alone on pastoral farming is between NZD166 million and NZD592 million per annum depending on the rate of spread.

Map and Zap® is an AI driven early growth stage weed identification, mapping and laser-zapping solution that reduces the need for chemical herbicides for controlling weeds. The Map and Zap® team has engaged over 50 farmers, producer organisations and international experts. There is strong demand for Map and Zap®. 

Key issues identified through market engagements include:

  • High yield impacts caused by weeds
  • Strong consumer pressure to move away from herbicides
  • Widespread herbicide resistance
  • Transfer of diseases from weeds to host plants
  • High weed control costs, ranging from $113/ha for wheat to $2 600/ha for strawberries
  • Labour supply constraints

Consumer pressure is increasing and supermarket chains are requiring producers to use less herbicides. 

Current opportunity 

The Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI) intends to commercialise Map and Zap®. We are seeking industry partnerships and investors to take the technology to market.. 

The current state of play with Map and Zap® is as follows:

  • In terms of the technology, the following has been achieved:
  1. AI driven weed ID solution
  2. An extensive weed image library
  3. Field tested imaging and laser zapping
  4. Integrated weed ID and laser system demonstrated in vineyards
  • Commercial traction achieved:
  1. Over 50 farmers and global experts consulted
  2. Very strong demand for the solution established
  3. Commercial discussions with partners including potential contractors, end-customers  and distributors. 

The Map and Zap® team has undertaken commercial trials in New Zealand to demonstrate the system in vineyards. We aim to deploy Map and Zap® in key  markets including New Zealand, Australia and the EU.

We are offering a partnering opportunity to take the technology to market.

Opportunity background 

We have developed both the weed identification capability and weed library and have proven the effectiveness of lasers in killing weeds. The R&D is based on weed science, imaging, laser, and AI programming expertise.  

The Map and Zap® technology includes: 

  • Mapping:
  1. Weed identification accuracy: precision weed species and location detection
  2. Early detection: weed ID at 2 to 3 leaf stage before establishment and flowering
  • Zapping:
  1. Weed control: more than 90% kill rate (without any crop damage)
  2. Environmentally sustainable: no chemical residue, soil disturbance, carbon or microbiome impact
  3. No herbicide resistance risk: fast physical destruction
  4. The impact on users includes a reduction in herbicide usage and improvements in yield. 

Our competitive advantage lies in the agility of the system, the affordability of the integrated Map and Zap unit in terms of the low Cost of Goods Sold (COGS), the AI capability and the weed library.   

Potential other applications 

Future applications of this technology include development of the imaging technology for other crop monitoring purposes. 

There is potential to use similar technology for other pest control applications in agriculture, horticulture and forestry. 

To find out more or to get in touch go to "Enquire now".

^Professional and sophisticated investors as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). The content of this opportunity is intended for use by persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments and must not be acted or relied upon by any other person including, without limitation, retail clients. 

 

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