Robotics Plus unveils UGV for agriculture

The multi-purpose Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) can be supervised in a fleet of vehicles by a single human operator. It uses a combination of vision systems and other technologies to sense the environment, to optimise tasks and allow intelligent, targeted application of inputs such as sprays.

Growers will be able to rotate multiple tools on the adaptable, configurable agriculture platform depending on the day’s work, for jobs such as spraying, weed control, mulching, mowing and crop analysis.

The intelligent spraying system varies the flow rate to ensure spray efficacy whilst reducing inputs, Robotics Plus said. Spray rates and airspeed is controlled in zones and responds as the sprayer moves along orchard or vineyard rows.

The New Zealand-based agritech company unveiled its demonstration vehicle at FIRA USA 2022, a California-based event dedicated to autonomous agriculture and agricultural robotics solutions for the North American market. The company believes it could alleviate labour shortages and ‘transform’ the agriculture industry.