Building on the success of the autonomous GUSS sprayer launched in 2023, John Deere and GUSS Automation have introduced the Electric GUSS, a fully electric and autonomous sprayer that allows growers to manage multiple sprayers remotely.
Debuting at the 2024 World Ag Expo in Tulare, California, the Electric GUSS is being hailed by Deere executives as “the world’s first and only fully electric autonomous herbicide orchard sprayer.”
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Equipped with the new Smart Apply weed detection system, the Electric GUSS can measure chlorophyll in plants to identify weeds among crops and only spray where weeds are detected. This technology is said to reduce the amount of chemicals sprayed onto crops by up to 90%, depending on weed pressure.
The material savings not only reduce material drift but also increase sustainability and contribute to enhanced employee safety. Additionally, the Electric GUSS helps farmers cut fuel and maintenance costs, leading to quieter and more profitable farming.
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Sean Sundberg, John Deere business integration manager, commented on the launch, stating, “This launch with GUSS Automation reaffirms our commitment to helping high-value crop growers meet their needs through innovative solutions like electrification and autonomy. The all-new electric GUSS will provide farmers with reliable and powerful performance, with added benefits to help increase productivity and profitability.”
Powered by John Deere KREISEL batteries, the Electric GUSS can run and spray for a full day’s shift when fully charged. The sprayer utilizes GPS, LiDAR, and proprietary remote control technology to ensure accurate coverage, enabling a single operator to control and monitor up to eight Electric GUSS from behind a single laptop computer or tablet.
Greg Christensen, John Deere go-to-market manager, emphasized the benefits of the Electric GUSS, stating, “The labor optimization benefits of GUSS, now combined with the input optimization benefits of Smart Apply, will be available both as a factory-installed option and as a Precision Upgrade for existing Orchard and mini GUSS machines.”
The Electric GUSS will be available for ordering at select John Deere dealers across North America later this year.
