DotPowerPlatform
Autonomous tractor is already driving around in the field
Autonomous vehicle technology is a holy grail in agriculture, which many manufacturers are working on. Canadian arable farmer Norbert Beaujot took the bull by the horns and built an autonomous 'tractor' himself. It is now sowing its rounds on the prairie and with success.
Every manufacturer has its own idea about the autonomous tractor. Does it have to be a standard wheel tractor decorated with sensors? Or a futuristic robot without a cabin? Another sees opportunities for many small robots that weigh as much as a lawnmower. Norbert Beaujot, inventor and above all a farmer in Regina, Saskatchewan, has his own ideas.
20
percent
Production in 2018
The Dot Power Platform came out of the shed of new company Dot Technology Corp this spring. roll. It is a subsidiary of Canadian seed drill manufacturer Seed Master. So it is not surprising that the DPP robot was fitted with a seeder of this brand. The 'trigger' will be officially introduced in Canada this month. Production will start on a limited scale next year. Arable farmers around the factory will then have the opportunity to test it in practice.
Tool 20% cheaper
Beaujot started with the idea of building a self-propelled seed drill, but realized that there is more market for it if you can also build other machines. This is how he ended up with a U-shaped frame. The robot 'encloses' the machine, after which you can connect it. Bottleneck is that only special machines are possible because of this. It is not possible to convert your existing equipment. Beaujot chose the system because of its simplicity. “Lifting systems and running wheels are so superfluous. If you leave out all unnecessary technology, a Dot-compatible machine is 20% cheaper than a conventional tool”, estimates the inventor.
Diesel as a power source
The vehicle is attached to the seed drill in 10 seconds. Then you have to manually connect the hydraulic hoses and electricity. The vehicle is operated by 4 hydromotors that can rotate almost 360 degrees. A 4,5 liter 163 hp Cummins engine powers the whole. Controlling the electronic part cost the inventor a lot of headaches.
attracting young people
The main reason for Beaujot to start with autonomous technology was the lack of labour. “It is becoming increasingly difficult to find skilled agricultural workers. Hopefully this technique will make the sector attractive to young people. They understand electronics much better.”
Although the machine was born on the Canadian prairie, the manufacturer believes that small farmers can also benefit from it. It will not work on a larger copy. Companies that want capacity simply have to deploy more machines. The idea is that electronics link the machines and allow them to follow, just like drones can already do. In addition to labor, cost is an important argument. In addition to personnel costs, other input costs are also rising. Robot technology can lower this, DOT thinks.
Try more machines
For the time being, interested parties can only sow with the vehicle, on which a pneumatic Seed Master seed drill is built. The next step is to find fellow machine builders who want to design other tools. During the product launch, a first step is given. This year, tests are being conducted at Beaujot's farm with a sprayer, land roller and transfer truck. The company has not disclosed how much the machine will cost.
Niels van der Boom
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