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.

Steve Saunders, co-founder and CEO of Robotics Plus said its team worked alongside growers, researchers and technology suppliers to deliver the modular architecture for its UGV, which can operate in a range of environments and could replace tractors and other tools. 

“To adapt and thrive in a changing world and create a sustainable and competitive future in the agricultural and speciality tree crop sector, growers and orchardists need automation that solves real-world problems, reduces reliance on increasingly costly and hard-to-find machine operators and provides data-driven insights for informed decision-making,” said Saunders.

The UGV has a small footprint and its steering configuration incorporates electric steering and independent motors to increase productivity — according to Robotics Plus, this allows ‘significantly more’ ground to be covered than machines which turn on every second row or greater depending on row configuration. It can be deployed in various crop types with a minimum row spacing of 1.8m/6ft.

“Electric drive motors give superior torque and control, whilst a Tier 4 diesel generator means the vehicle can operate for extended periods,” said Dr Alistair Scarfe, co-founder and CTO of Robotics Plus.

“Fuel consumption is minimised by electrically driving all systems, including tools. Regenerative braking and high-capacity batteries also extend efficiency and range.”

With no hydraulic, gearbox or differential fluids to be managed, operators can easily keep vehicles running if a part fails by swapping out modules when needed. The solution aims to reduce downtime and complexity for growers.

Technology supplier partners include Yamaha Motor Company, Autonomous Solutions Inc. and Croplands.