The deal, which was signed on 10 November, will lead to formation of a new company based in Cologne in the first quarter of 2021, a statement from Bosch said.

Bosch will contribute its capabilities in hardware, software and digital services, while BASF, through its xarvio Digital Farming Solutions, will supply "an automated, real-time, field specific agronomic decision-making engine for weed management powered by the digital xarvio platform for crop optimisation".

This provides farmers with field zone-specific advice on how to produce crops in the most sustainable way.

"Thanks to connecting agricultural machinery using high-tech sensors, intelligent software and digital products, we can make tomorrow's agriculture more efficient and at the same time more environmentally friendly," said Andrew Allen, who is responsible for Commercial Vehicles and Off-Road Business at Robert Bosch.

The smart spraying concept by Bosch and BASF focuses on the precise application of herbicides in the field to control weeds. Courtesy Bosch

"Both companies are committed to investing time, resources and funding in joint activities that will lead to the development of new sustainable, precision technologies that improve agricultural practices and outcomes," said Vincent Gros, president of BASF's Agricultural Solutions division.

The first two products to be launched by the joint venture will be a version of the Intelligent Planting Solution system, with improved digital intelligence for seeding and fertiliser prescriptions and Smart Spraying.

The latter solution uses Bosch's camera sensor technology and software with xarvio's crop optimisation platform.