BASF announced on 8 May 2024 that Stara had launched its Imperador 4000 Eco Spray with the ONE SMART SPRAY weed-management system. Presented at Agrishow in Brazil, the self-propelled sprayer integrated camera-based detection and artificial intelligence from Bosch with xarvio digital and agronomic functions.
The system was designed to detect weeds and apply herbicide during the same pass, with LED lighting supporting operation beyond daylight hours. The announcement described both pre-emergence and post-emergence use, together with weed-distribution maps, application records and guidance on treatment programmes. BASF said the commercial launch followed collaboration dating to 2019. The development illustrates how targeted-spraying technology can enter farming through established local machinery manufacturers, rather than requiring a separate robotic vehicle for every precision task.
