Weather update Robotization
First robot tractor active in the polder clay
The practical company 'Open Teelten Lelystad' of Wageningen University & Research (WUR) started using the first tractor robot from AgroIntelli Robotti on Wednesday 17 April. The autonomous Danish vehicle is being used on test fields.
Open Crops Lelystad includes in total 900 hectares of organic and conventional arable land. Part of this is intended for the tests. An Agrointelli Robotti (robot tractor) has been purchased for these trial fields. This is a tool carrier that is powered by diesel, with the machines hanging between the wheels. At 1.800 kilos, it is lighter than the average agricultural tractor.
light-footed
The Robotti can be used with a number of small machines, such as with a precision seed drill or hoe beam. WUR will also use him for that. However, it is difficult to get a machine of 3 meters wide in between. In connection with the tests, the machine is on a track of 3,15 meters. As standard, 3 meters will fit, but then the track width will be 3,50 meters. WUR can't handle that in their tests.
The WUR purchased the heavy version with 2 Kubota engines. The 3 cylinders each deliver 25 hp, in order to drive the PTO and a hydraulic system. Only the front wheels steer, with each wheel having its own hydromotor. Also, the left side of the device can oscillate to make it ground-following. Even bigger wheels are mounted.
Android
You operate the robot tractor via an app for Android on your smartphone or tablet. A field, with the associated AB lines, can be programmed from the office. In addition, you can steer manually with a small box and there is a separate emergency stop. The bumpers all around allow the machine to stop quickly. A common rtk-gps system from Ag Leader directs it straight to the centimeter.
Robotti was shown in its home country of Denmark in 2016. In the meantime, 5 machines have been sold, of which 1 in our country and 1 in Ghent. At the end of March, the device was shown at Abemec. The mechanization company is now an importer of Agrointelli, it announced April 3. Abemec Flevoland provides service and support to the Robotti owned by WUR. They will also think about the practical usability of the device.
Kongskilde
Agrointelli is located in Aarhus, Denmark. It was founded by manufacturer Kongskilde, who sold most of the shares to investors that same year. They now own 75% of the company. The robot is not unique, but it is one of the first that is practically usable. Existing machines can be used, although constant supervision is desirable.
Researcher Bram Veldhuisen is responsible for this Robotti. He is going to experiment on the test fields. In addition, it must also be used at the practical farm in Lelystad. Hoeing, seedbed preparation or sowing. You don't need a lot of power for such work, he explains. "There is a lot of talk about robots in the agricultural sector. We want to test it in practice. There were not many manufacturers who could supply a ready-to-use example. Agrointelli dared to do it."
Crop sensors
The Robotti is certainly not finished yet. The WUR is also aware of this: "We are working with the manufacturer to improve the concept. There are sufficient wishes and we want to investigate them. In addition to agricultural work, he will soon also be used with sensors to apply the phenotyping of the plants. When "If he drives his rounds autonomously on a daily basis, you get a better picture of plant development. In addition, disease and pest development can be better monitored by frequently scanning the crop. A drone cannot deliver the required high resolution quickly."
Veldhuisen thinks that it will not stop at 1 robot: "There is talk of deploying a 'swarm'. That is also Agrointelli's ambition. Perhaps a farmer or contractor will have 3 in the future, which together have as much capacity as 1 large The Agroecology Testing Ground, which was started last year, offers an excellent place to experiment. There are so many ideas at the moment, although it is also quite difficult. The law does not allow such devices to exist. For the time being, someone must always supervise keep it when he's at work."
Niels van der Boom
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