Learn How Our SporeCam’s Smart Farming Technology Works

HOW IT WORKS

1 Capture Particles

We deploy our autonomous hardware to continuously capture airborne particles onto our proprietary media cassette.

Our SporeCam™ instrument combines elements of 4 pieces of laboratory equipment using optics and light fusion to obtain data on every particle captured. Data is transferred to our cloud servers (AWS) for analysis.

Media

Cassette

SporeCam™ 100 Sensor

(4G+WiFi, and WiFi Only)

Technology

PRICING MODEL

Collaborative Design Session

With your IPM / Grow / Ops teams, we develop:

Sensor footprint
Define diseases
Integration needs (API)

1

Pricing

TEACHING DISEASE SIGNATURES

Before we can classify particles / spores, we need to collect thousands of samples in a controlled environment. We do this in collaboration with scientific industry partners, academic institutions, as well as at our headquarters.

By placing our sensor in growth chambers or bench-top bio-tents along side inoculated host material, we are able to run our approx. 4 week teaching cycle. Once we have high repeatability of detection and classification accuracy, we can release the fingerprint signature to the cloud and make it available to our customers.

PRICING MODEL

Disease Detection-as-a-Service: After we scope out your needs, you pay an annual service agreement for detection, alerts and unlimited access to a secure dashboard.

Collaborative Design Session

With your IPM / Grow / Ops teams, we develop:

Sensor footprint
Define diseases
Integration needs (API)

1

Build Subscription Model

Together we establish:

Success metrics
Value / savings targets
Annual service agreement

Scanit owns & maintains the hardware, no CapEx to growers

2

Install and On-boarding Event

At your site, we:

Install & test hardware
Set-up & customize dashboard access
Train and on-board your staff

3

Request a Consultation

Teaching

TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS

Spore classification range: 6 μm - 1000 μm in size
Continuous data capture with hourly data resolution
Dashboard & email alert capability
Average Weight: 4.2 pounds
Connectivity: Wi-Fi standard, 4G wireless available
Power: 110V standard, 240V or solar optional
Validate treatment plan efficacy
Monitor key areas including post-harvest / cold-storage
Canopy ambient data captured as standard equipment:
- Temperature, Relative Humidity, Barometric Pressure, Dew Point and Estimated VPD (calculated)
Optional gas sensing: SO2, CO2, O3 and others upon request
Operating temperature range: -30C to +85C

Technical Highlights

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long does it take to teach a new disease signature?

On average 4 – 6 weeks once we have active spores and can maintain diseased plant material. We teach on-site at labs with growth chambers, at our HQ site, or in small benchtop bio-tents at universities / partner sites.
How many SporeCam™ sensors will I need per acre / sq.ft. to be effective?

This is highly dependent on the crop, terrain, and canopy density for outdoor crops. Our normal approach is to work with PCA’s / IPM teams to identify hot-spots of historical disease events and place sensors in key areas and expand from there as needed. For indoor growers, it’s highly dependent on the facility layout, airflow, and crop density / spacing. Normally we recommend 1 sensor for every 5,000 – 10,000 sq.ft.
How long does the sensor cassette last before replacement is needed?

6 weeks. We train your team to conduct their own cassette replacements as it’s simple and takes only a few minutes. Cassettes are provided / included in your subscription plan.
What does it cost on average for disease-detection as a service annually and what’s normally included?

Subscription pricing is typically annual and is developed together with our customers after site review, determining number of units needed, number of diseases to monitor, and optional configurations for the best early warning disease detection strategy. Included is an install & training event, service, and supply of cassettes for the duration of your subscription. Contact us at: info@scanit-tech.com to request a consultation.
Who owns the sensors once installed?

Scanit remains the owner of the hardware and the customer pays for subscription model for airborne disease data, alerts and dashboard access. Scanit or our authorized resellers provide installation and service support as needed.
What connectivity is needed for the sensors?

For outdoor applications we use integrated 4G cellular connectivity in combination with a solar panel and drip battery which has been effective on most farms for connectivity. For indoor applications, we primarily use onboard Wi-Fi and will require your site SSID and Password for operation.
For indoors, what are the data transfer / bandwidth needs of your sensors?"

Bandwidth / data needs vary depending on number of diseases to detect and facility air quality, but monthly ranges are 1 - 6 GB of data traffic per sensor.
Are these sensors robust enough to last on the farm?

Yes. They are designed just for that purpose – harsh, outdoor environments and extreme weather swings both very hot and cold. Lifespan for the sensor is 4 years minimum.
What crops are you focused on serving?

We are not limited by crop. Today, our outdoor crop focus has been: Wine & Table Grape, Tomato, Strawberry, Pistachio, and Almond but development is based on customer demand. For indoor crops, we serve Leafy Greens, Fruits & Vegatables, Floriculture and Cannabis / Hemp today.
What diseases can you detect and classify today?

Our library is continually growing as we build our install base. We have approx.. 75 diseases in our funnel of development with an excess of 20 built to date including pollens. Visit the Indoor and Outdoor sections of our website for the current library available.
Are there limits to what you can capture and identify?

Yes. Our current technology can capture airborne particles down to 1 micron in size, but classification of spores requires particle sizes around 6 microns and greater. In our next-generation sensor we will be looking at classifying in the bacterial range (< 5 microns).
Can you detect water-borne or soil-borne diseases?

Not currently. We are focused on airborne pathogen / spore detection. We are evaluating other methods of detection and classification to tackle these known challenges in future product lines.
Can I get some sensors to pilot?

We do have some pilot sensors to allocate but it is under our paid pilot program. We can discuss cost-sharing models / funding options to make it effective for both parties. Contact us at info@scanit-tech.com for more details.
Can you tell the difference between different Powdery Mildew species?

Yes, it is often possible. While spore morphology is similar between many Powdery Mildews, our algorithms and data collected can differentiate between variants by crop.
Can your sensor data be integrated with my control system / farm management system?

Yes. We can work together to scope out an integration project using our API to allow your existing platforms to ingest our data.
Do you sell services direct or through partners / distributors?

Both. Currently we are selling direct to growers but are actively building our reseller and partner base. Based on customer location, timing and size of project, we will ensure the right service model is proposed to ensure your success.
Is the SporeCam™ sensor also a weather station?

Yes. As standard equipment, we sense temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, dew point, and calculate estimated vapor pressure deficit (VPD). Gas sensors can be integrated as well by request in custom configurations.

FAQ's