VarioCHOP AI in action
AI-guided in-row weeding
VarioCHOP AI – maximum weeding efficiency
Fast, simple & efficient in-row weeding: the AI detects the crop plant by its root – not its leaves – and cuts your hand-weeding costs by up to 90 %. Day and night, in more than 100 crops.
−90 %
Hand-weeding costs – savings of up to 90 %
100+
Crops that can be hoed effectively
60
Workers a 6-row machine can replace
1–16
Rows freely configurable – incl. individual spacings
Why VarioCHOP AI?
Artificial intelligence meets durable engineering
Built by farmers for farmers, with proven results – our system simply works.
Latest technology
Artificial intelligence combined with durable engineering: cameras above every row detect the root position and control the hoeing knives up to 3 times per second – no calibration, no elaborate setup.
Award-winning
Multiple international awards: winner of the Nextcelerator 2022, silver at the MassChallenge Switzerland, winner of the AIL Austria 2023 and GRAND PRIX at Tech Agro 2024.
Versatile and scalable
Works in all row crops – from sugar beet, pumpkin and corn to onion and garlic. Configurable from 1 to 16 rows, from approx. 8 cm in-row plant spacing.
New
Calculate your personal savings
Default values for more than 100 crops and our experience from over 20,000 ha – combined in one compact calculator. Time required: 1 minute.
In-Row
Weeding in the row
The in-row weeding revolution
Simple, fast and sustainable – and it works in all row crops: sugar beet, pumpkin, corn, onion, garlic and many more.
- One 6-row machine can replace up to 60 workers
- Up to 90% lower hand-weeding costs
- In 6-row sugar beet: up to 5 km/h and 1 ha/h
- New crops can be trained within a few hours
- 2 configurations: in the row only – or in the row + between the rows
Technology
Next-generation AI, industrial quality, hands-on know-how
Advanced AI
Ready to go – under any circumstances
Our AI technology is a ready-to-use solution for every farmer, every farm size and almost every plant in the world. Even large amounts of weeds on “bad” fields are no problem.
- No calibration required
- No elaborate setup needed
- Get on your tractor – and off you go
Our system simply works! Built by farmers for farmers, with proven results.
Intelligent detection
Detecting roots instead of leaves
The unique combination of next-generation AI, industrial quality and agricultural expertise – in one practical setup.
- Root detection instead of leaf detection: wind is no problem, and weeds are removed even underneath the leaves
- Copes with different sun angles
- Early start possible – weeding from the 2-leaf stage
- Very fast detection and processing – even in-row in sugar beet at up to 5 km/h
Applications
Effective in more than 100 crops
From sugar beet, corn, pumpkin and onion through all kinds of vegetables, tomatoes, lettuce and strawberries to specialty plants such as oregano, thyme, lemon balm, mint and hemp: the intelligent control system enables optimal care of the most diverse crops.
Robust field crops such as potatoes, sweet potatoes and sunflowers as well as more delicate plants such as broccoli, cauliflower, rice and fennel can also be cultivated efficiently and gently. And: the system learns almost any new plant within a few hours!
In use worldwide
Thousands of hectares of experience – out in the world since 2024
Want to see for yourself? Find all upcoming demonstrations here – and the latest videos straight from the field on Instagram.
Works with almost any tractor
Built for real-world conditions
The most advanced and scalable AI technology
Development and support in-house
Testimonials
What farmers say about the VarioCHOP AI
Even with just around 15 to 20 ha of organic sugar beet, the machine pays for itself within 4 years. I am also impressed that you can run it day and night, and by the support from Samo.
This cultivator is the reason why caring for our pumpkins is so easy. We are so happy! The coolest machine anyone has ever invented :) It makes our lives so much easier!
What convinces me is the machine's great flexibility: it can be used for different crops, growth stages and row spacings. The quick and easy row spacing adjustment is especially practical.
For around 10 years I have been working with weeding robots that detect plants and are capable of in-row hoeing. With the Newman, Ullmanna/Samo set new standards in plant detection regardless of crop, growth stage, light conditions and weed pressure.
The machine impresses with its high output, excellent work quality and flexibility between the individual crops in daily use. We are impressed by the camera-guided system with AI technology, which distinguishes precisely between crop plants and weeds. As a result we work far more efficiently, more gently and with greater accuracy.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the VarioCHOP AI
How much manual labor can I save with the AI cultivator?
Up to 90% of manual weeding work is eliminated. A 6-row machine can replace up to 60 workers – depending on the crop and the stand.
How does the VarioCHOP AI work?
There is a camera above every row that detects the plant. A 3D camera additionally measures the height. The hydraulic side shift automatically adjusts to the average of all rows. Depending on the driving speed, the camera sends the signal to open and close the hoeing knives. The height is adjusted individually per row by an electric motor. No calibration needed – select the crop, hitch up, go.
Does the system also work at night or in poor light?
Yes. Thanks to integrated flash lights and LED lighting, plant detection works at any sun angle and even at night.
Which crops are supported?
Currently: sugar beet, pumpkin, corn, onion, garlic, cabbage, peanuts, rice, vegetables, lettuce and around 80 further crops, including many herbs. New crops can be trained within a few hours.
How quickly does the system learn a completely new crop?
As a rule it takes about 6 hours – from the first camera scan to the ready-to-use AI model.
How does the AI know where it is allowed to hoe?
The camera captures several images per plant, detects the root position and opens or closes the knives up to 3 times per second – precisely and safely.
How do I set the hoeing depth and knife timing?
Very easily via the supplied tablet or an Android device: working depth, opening and closing points can be set with a few taps.
What if I have different row spacings, e.g. 50 and 75 cm?
No problem – the system can be adjusted infinitely and flexibly from a row spacing of 15 cm. All units are easy to shift. Switching from 50 to 75 cm, for example, takes half an hour.
Does my tractor need GPS or ISOBUS?
Not necessarily. GPS is helpful but not required. Power can also be supplied directly from the battery.
How many rows can I work at the same time?
Anything from 1 to 16 rows is possible – including individual row spacings. We configure the machine to your requirements.
Can I also hoe between the rows?
Yes. There are two versions: in the row only, or in the row + between the rows – for full-surface cultivation.
What if my field has slopes?
Each unit controls its height independently. This makes even cultivation possible on slopes as well.
How robust is the system with heavy weed pressure or difficult stands?
Very robust. Even with dense weeds, irregular stands or overgrowth, the AI reliably detects the crop plants and works precisely.
What about service and support?
We offer personal support, remote support via the internet, and we remain reliably available throughout the season.
How do I benefit economically from the system?
Less manual labor, no herbicides, lower labor costs: even with just a few hectares you can save several thousand euros per year. On average we see savings of 70–100% among our farmers!
I also see many cultivators from Ullmanna – is yours the same?
Ullmanna's cultivators are sold internationally under the Ullmanna brand, and we operate under our Samo brand in Austria and Germany.
Documents & advice
Download the brochure, call your contact
No obligation & free of charge
Request your VarioCHOP AI quote now
Up to 90 % lower hand-weeding costs: the AI detects the crop plant by its root and hoes with centimeter precision in the row – day and night, in more than 100 crops.
Or see it live: view demonstration dates