Robotic Farm Equipment

1. Robotic Farm Equipment Ethan Wyatt Soil 4213 Source: Farmer’s Guardian.com

2. The Future of Ag. Equipment • http://youtu.be/EOFNjKUbOgg

3. Overview • Benefits of Robotic Equipment • Disadvantages of Robotic Equipment • Examples of Robotic Equipment • How Robotic Equipment Works • Conclusions

4. 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

5. 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

6. Disadvantages • GPS dependent • Electrical malfunctions • Public disapproval • Farming Tradition Loss

7. Examples Autonomous peat moss harvester John Deere prototype tractor Robotic weed scouter Futuristic model of combine

8. How Robotic Equipment Works LiDARunit is mounted on hood of machinery. LiDARunit is wired to a computer that sends any alerts to the in-cab computer. LiDARunit can send wireless messages to a cell phone or computer to alert the farm manager. LiDARunit can detect crop height changes, field wash outs, surface water, livestock and wildlife, and other obstacles.

9. 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.

10. Questions?