Robotic Farm Equipment
Ethan Wyatt
Soil 4213
Source: Farmer’s Guardian.com
The Future of Ag. Equipment
• http://youtu.be/EOFNjKUbOgg
Overview
• Benefits of Robotic Equipment
• Disadvantages of Robotic Equipment
• Examples of Robotic Equipment
• How Robotic Equipment Works
• Conclusions
Benefits
• Reduced human error
– Most important benefit
– 26 to 50 deaths per
100,000 people due to
machinery
– More uniform stands, less
overlap
– Less downtime repairing
machines
– Higher knowledge of field
conditions
Source: Roadtransport.com
Benefits Cont.
• More productivity
– No operator’s fatigue
– More run time (day and night)
• Less labor needed
– Improved production profits
– Decreased dependence on unskilled workers
• Lighter carbon footprint
– Reduced equipment size
– Higher fuel efficiency
Disadvantages
• GPS dependent
• Electrical malfunctions
• Public disapproval
• Farming Tradition Loss
Examples
Autonomous peat moss harvester
Robotic weed scouter
John Deere prototype tractor
Futuristic model of combine
How Robotic Equipment Works
1. LiDAR unit is mounted on hood of
machinery.
2. LiDAR unit is wired to a computer
that sends any alerts to the in-cab
computer.
3. LiDAR unit can send wireless
messages to a cell phone or
computer to alert the farm manager.
LiDAR unit can detect crop height
changes, field wash outs, surface water,
livestock and wildlife, and other
obstacles.
Conclusions
• Robotic farm equipment has a future in
production agricultural.
• Robotic farm equipment has a better fit in
high value crops such as vegetables and fruits,
but will eventually be used in grain and fiber
crops when the costs of the technology
decrease.
Questions?