North Carolina Patent of the Month – May 2024

The future of agriculture is rooted in innovation, and Ground Truth Ag, Inc. is at the forefront of revolutionizing how we understand and manage soil health. Their newly patented invention, a groundbreaking system for diagnosing soil characteristics and subterranean plant characteristics, promises to redefine the way farmers approach crop management.

At the heart of this innovation is a sophisticated system comprising a soil disruption device, disruption sensor, location device, and processor circuit. The soil disruption device is designed to cause a disruption of a subsurface portion of soil at a compaction detection location, while the disruption sensor generates data corresponding to this disruption. The location device provides geographic location data, which is then associated with the disruption data by the processor circuit.

What sets this system apart is its integration of machine learning technology. By harnessing the power of machine learning, the processor circuit is able to generate three-dimensional soil compaction and tilth maps using data corresponding to the injection of compressed air and laser vibrometry. This means that farmers can obtain detailed insights into soil health and compaction levels across their fields with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency.

The versatility of the system is another key feature. Equipped with a vehicle that supports the soil disruption device, disruption sensor, location device, and processor circuit, farmers can seamlessly navigate their fields, collecting vital data in real-time. The system’s ability to operate autonomously or manually further enhances its usability, providing farmers with flexibility in implementation.

By providing rapid and reliable soil compaction diagnostics, this invention enables farmers to optimize their tillage practices, targeting only the areas where compaction is yield-limiting. This not only improves crop yields but also promotes sustainable farming practices by minimizing unnecessary soil disturbance.

Furthermore, the system’s ability to assess subterranean plant characteristics opens up new possibilities for crop improvement. By accurately characterizing root distribution and performance, farmers can make informed decisions about crop selection, planting strategies, and irrigation management, ultimately enhancing overall productivity and sustainability.

Are you developing new technology for an existing application? Did you know your development work could be eligible for the R&D Tax Credit and you can receive up to 14% back on your expenses? Even if your development isn’t successful your work may still qualify for R&D credits (i.e. you don’t need to have a patent to qualify). To find out more, please contact a Swanson Reed R&D Specialist today or check out our free online eligibility test.

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