Project
ROBS4CROPS
Robots are replacing labor in various sectors of the economy, but robots are not yet widely used in agriculture. Technically, agricultural robots are unsatisfactory because they can only be used as a separate device, rather than as part of a complete, innovative robotic system.
ROBS4CROPS creates a robot system that consists of three elements: smart tools, autonomous vehicles and a planner. Existing agricultural implements and tractors are upgraded so that they can function, together with existing agricultural robots, as part of a robotic system. Tools are given e.g. a camera to record the quality of the work and provide feedback if something goes wrong. The planner uses experiences in automated factories and ensures e.g. that a weeding robot only starts work when dry weather is forecast (and stops its work if it unexpectedly rains).
From a non-technical point of view, agricultural robots do not fit well with current agricultural practice because important preconditions such as compatibility with existing implements, confidence that the robot works properly, safety, and clarity about regulations are not always met. ROBS4CROPS tackles non-technical challenges by using standards such as hitch and ISOBUS, using existing implements (so less investment is required to switch), and addressing the lack of maintenance, insurance, financing and training . Regulatory compliance, robo-ethics and socio-economic impact are explicitly discussed. The complete robot system (technical and non-technical) is tested and demonstrated in practice, in arable farming (NL), open-field vegetable cultivation (FR), viticulture (GR) and fruit cultivation (SP).