A versatile new robot vehicle that can carry out a range of tasks in settings such as orchards and vineyards has been unveiled.
New Zealand-based ‘agritech’ company Robotics Plus introduced its demonstration vehicle at a Californian event that showcases autonomous agriculture and agricultural robotics solutions.
Described as a multi-purpose Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), the autonomous vehicle can be deployed as an individual unit or as part of a fleet, which can still be supervised by a single human operator.
The UGV can also be fitted with different modular attachments depending on the jobs it is undertaking on a day-to-day basis.
The various tools can be rotated on the platform to enable it to carry out a wide range of tasks, from crop sampling and analysis to weeding, spraying, mulching and mowing.
It uses a number of technologies including vision systems to help it sense the environment and smart systems for deployment.
An intelligent spray system, for example, allows the flow rate to be varied in order to improve efficiency with minimal input, automatically changing airspeed and spray rates as the vehicle moves through different zones of an orchard or vineyard.
Steve Saunders, the CEO and co-founder of Robotics Plus, said that the company had worked closely with growers, researchers and other tech experts to produce the modular design of its UGV.
The UGV could replace tractors and other similar machinery
Its versatility allows it to operate effectively in a range of different environments and could eventually see it supersede tractors and other agricultural tools.
Saunders said that growers needed to adopt automation that can solve real-world problems, reduce reliance on machine operators, and provide data-driven insights for decision-making.
The UGV’s small size and features including electric steering and independent motors allow the vehicle to operate in a range of crop types with row spacings of 1.8m (6 feet) or greater.
Robotics Plus co-founder and CTO Dr Alistair Scarfe said that the electric drive motors provided superior torque and control, while the electrical operation of systems and tools helped minimise fuel consumption.
Range and efficiency was also improved by the inclusion of high-capacity batteries and regenerative braking – which takes energy from the braking process that would otherwise be wasted and channels it back into the batteries.
With no hydraulic or differential fluids to take into account, operators can keep the unit going if a part fails by simply swapping out the modular components.
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