Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, a department of the government of Canada, announced April 6 up to $419,000 in funding to Mojow Autonomous Solutions to develop an artificial intelligence data recording kit.

Mojow is headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. To help address labor shortages in agriculture, the company will use the funding to develop an AI data recording kit called Eye-Box. Eye-Box is a small, rugged and economical sensor suite that contains multiple cameras and GPS combined with a powerful computer unit for real-time processing of collected data. 

When farm machinery is in use, Eye-Box will automatically collect images and classify each pixel. This will create a digital twin representation of the entire farming entity. Mojow says Eye-Box will make a difference to farmers as the data from the digital representation will be used in computer algorithms, allowing farm operators to make informed decisions when addressing field-level issues.

With the integration of digital technologies and AI, farmers can manage resources more effectively and efficiently. In addition, these technologies will help to alleviate some of the labor shortage pressures faced by the sector with new efficiencies for farm systems that will drive overall productivity. Rather than have employees process data, Eye-Box will work automatically and allow farmers and employees to focus their attention on daily tasks.

The funding is through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership under the AgriScience Program, an initiative under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership supporting research activities to help industry overcome challenges, address fiscal barriers experienced by small and emerging sectors and prepare for and support high-risk opportunities that have the potential to earn significant returns. The Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a $3 billion, 5-year (2018-2023) investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen and grow Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector.

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