Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

crop

Carbon Robotics adds LaserThinning capability to its LaserWeeder

by Leave a Comment

Carbon Robotics, an AI and robotics company specializing in agriculture, has introduced what it says is “the industry’s first LaserThinning capability”, continuing the “rapid innovation” of its LaserWeeder system.

LaserThinning targets areas where vegetable crops are purposefully overseeded and then thinned for optimal crop spacing, growth and yield. This is particularly valuable for farmers growing any direct seeded leafy green and cole crops – such as lettuce and broccoli.

By using lasers for thinning, the new solution does not require the use of any chemicals or manual hand labor, is unaffected by wind or moisture, and can be performed during the day or night. [Read more…] about Carbon Robotics adds LaserThinning capability to its LaserWeeder

Robotics Plus unveils autonomous modular vehicle to ‘alleviate agriculture labour shortages’

by Leave a Comment

Robotics Plus, a New Zealand-based agritech company, has launched an autonomous multi-use, modular vehicle platform for agriculture designed to carry out a variety of orchard and vineyard machine tasks – to “alleviate ongoing labor shortages and transform the industry”.

The multi-purpose unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) can be supervised in a fleet of vehicles by a single human operator. The vehicle uses a combination of vision systems and other technologies to sense the environment – to optimize tasks and allow intelligent and targeted application of inputs such as sprays.

Growers will be able to rotate multiple tools on the highly adaptable and configurable agriculture platform, depending on the day’s work – for jobs such as spraying, weed control, mulching, mowing and crop analysis. [Read more…] about Robotics Plus unveils autonomous modular vehicle to ‘alleviate agriculture labour shortages’

John Deere forms joint venture with GUSS Automation

by Leave a Comment

Farm machinery manufacturer John Deere has formed a joint venture with GUSS Automation, based in Kingsburg, California.

GUSS (Global Unmanned Spray System) is a pioneer in semi-autonomous orchard and vineyard sprayers.

High-value crops, such as orchards and vineyards, generate significantly higher value per acre than grains or oilseeds. [Read more…] about John Deere forms joint venture with GUSS Automation

Verdant Robotics launches multi-action agricultural robot for ‘superhuman farming’

by Leave a Comment

Verdant Robotics has launched what it says is “the first multi-action autonomous farm robot for specialty crops” which will enable “superhuman farming”.

To meet farmers’ demands for more sustainable and profitable growing practices, Verdant Robotics has expanded its robot-as-a-service (RaaS) model to ensure access for more specialty crop farmers.

Founded in late 2018 by a leading roboticist, a software engineer, and a California farmer, Verdant has raised $21.5 million to develop the industry’s first multi-action, autonomous farm-robot capable of millimeter-accurate spraying, laser weeding, and AI-based digital crop modeling. [Read more…] about Verdant Robotics launches multi-action agricultural robot for ‘superhuman farming’

Carbon Robotics unveils new farm tech that kills weeds by zapping them with a laser

by Leave a Comment

Carbon Robotics, an agricultural robotics company, today unveiled its 2022 LaserWeeder implement, an autonomous, laserweeding pull-behind robot that seamlessly attaches to the back of tractors.

The new LaserWeeder is a precise, organic, and cost-effective weed control solution for large-scale specialty row crops.

In addition to an updated build, the 2022 LaserWeeder features 30 industrial CO2 lasers, more than 3X the lasers in Carbon Robotics’ self-driving Autonomous LaserWeeder, creating an average weeding capacity of two acres per hour. [Read more…] about Carbon Robotics unveils new farm tech that kills weeds by zapping them with a laser

Carbon Robotics releases new autonomous weeding robot into farming industry

by Leave a Comment

Carbon Robotics, an autonomous robotics company, has unveiled its third-generation autonomous weed elimination robots.

The Autonomous Weeder uses robotics, artificial intelligence, and laser technology to safely and effectively drive through crop fields to identify, target and eliminate weeds.

Unlike other weeding technologies, the robots utilize high-power lasers to eradicate weeds through thermal energy, without disturbing the soil. [Read more…] about Carbon Robotics releases new autonomous weeding robot into farming industry

AI and Robots Are Improving Agriculture in 2021

by 1 Comment

The integration of machine learning, AI, and IoT devices is nothing new to the modern farm.

Different sensors provide agronomists with valuable, reliable, and relevant data to help them increase their farms’ efficiency by ensuring higher yields and cutting production costs.

This is especially of aid at big farms where it’s necessary to monitor and manage dozens of processes at the same time. [Read more…] about AI and Robots Are Improving Agriculture in 2021

Truly gigantic farm robot as big as a football field being tested in Arizona desert

by Leave a Comment

A colossally humungous robot that looks at least as big as a football field has been unveiled by a group of scientists who clearly understand scale. (See video below.)

Called the “Field Scanalyzer”, shown in dazzling pictures and video on the Wall Street Journal website, the totally titanic machine is described as “an automated robotic field phenotyping platform for detailed crop monitoring”.

Phenotyping is the process of predicting a crop’s phenotype – the observable physical properties of an organism – using only genetic information collected from genotyping or DNA sequencing. [Read more…] about Truly gigantic farm robot as big as a football field being tested in Arizona desert

Yanmar leads agricultural robotics project to develop ‘SMASH’ system

by Leave a Comment

Agriculture in the future will see increasing use of scientifically precise farming techniques, where automated “agro-bots” monitor, treat and work the land, using advanced technology designed to help maximise yields and minimise disease. 

With its extensive experience in automation and agricultural mechanisation, agritech specialist Yanmar is now showing the way in advanced field robotics research.

Time for change in our changing times?

It’s hard to think of a more important economic sector than agriculture. This is an industry that directly affects the lives of everyone the world over, despite being beset by challenges from all sides.

Changes in temperature and precipitation are influencing crop yields; farmers and agricultural workers are directly exposed to the effects of weather extremes, while millions more in food-related jobs are already feeling the impact of our changing climate. [Read more…] about Yanmar leads agricultural robotics project to develop ‘SMASH’ system

John Deere showcases autonomous electric tractor and other new tech

by Leave a Comment

John Deere, probably the largest manufacturer of agricultural machinery in the world, has been showcasing a new autonomous tractor and other new technology at the ongoing Agritechnica event.

In a new exhibition concept at this year’s Agritechnica, Deere is demonstrating its leading position in precision agriculture in the Future Technology Zone.

Nine different product developments and research projects in the fields of electrification, autonomy through automation and artificial intelligence show how agriculture could work even more sustainably and productively in the future. [Read more…] about John Deere showcases autonomous electric tractor and other new tech