Robots take the wheeeel~
The first fully autonomous farm equipment is becoming commercially available, which means machines will be able to completely take over a multitude of tasks. Tractors will drive with no farmer in the cab, and specialised equipment will be able to spray, plant, plough and weed cropland. And it’s all happening well before many analysts had predicted thanks to small startups in Canada and Australia.
In years past, Bradford had used a 120ft wide, 16-ton spraying machine that “looks like a massive praying mantis”. It would blanket the field in chemicals, he said. Costs savings have become especially crucial as a multi-year rout for prices depresses farm incomes and tightens margins. The Bloomberg Grains Spot Index is down more than 50% since its peak in 2012. Meanwhile, advances in seed technology, fertilisers and other crop inputs has led to soaring yields and oversupply. Producers are eager to find any edge possible at a time when the US-China trade war is disrupting the usual flow of agriculture exports.
The Dot units won’t be completely on their own this year – farmers who bought equipment as part of a limited release are required to watch them at all times. But after this trial run, the producers will be able to let the equipment run on its own starting next year. That will open up a lot of time for the growers who will no longer need to sit behind the steering wheel.
Machinery that uses automation for tasks right now is more beneficial to farmers than autonomous equipment, Purdy said. Artificial intelligence, deep learning and advances in computer vision are going to transform agricultural machinery even further, he said. “Automation is a never-ending journey – there’s always something that will get better over time, and there’s so much opportunity that we’re prioritising automation over autonomy,” Purdy said.
“Farmers have a demand for productivity, and they’ll take it in whatever way we can give it, and technology is the new way,” he said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Plane lands without front wheelsYangon: A Myanmar pilot saved the day after his aircraft’s landing gear failed, forcing the jet into an emergency landing with no front wheels, an official said.
Read more »
Guardiola hailed as ‘obsessive’ genius behind Man City winning machineLONDON: Pep Guardiola was eulogised on Monday for his relentless hunger for success that propelled Manchester City to a second consecutive Premier Lea...
Read more »
Guardiola hailed as ‘obsessive’ genius behind Man City winning machine | Malay MailLONDON, May 13 — Pep Guardiola was eulogised today for his relentless hunger for success that propelled Manchester City to a second consecutive Premier League title after a titanic battle with Liverpool. Guardiola claimed his eighth league title in 10 seasons as a coach in charge of Barcelona,...
Read more »
Pig, frog farming likely cause of Port Dickson river pollution | The Malaysian InsightLivestock activities fall under Veterinary Services Dept's jurisdiction, says exco.
Read more »
Installed: First Halcyon radiotherapy machine to treat cancer patientsPETALING JAYA: With the rise of cancer cases every year, the first Halcyon Radiotherapy machine in South-East Asia to treat this deadly disease has been installed in a private hospital in Malaysia.
Read more »
Man arrested after mini marijuana farm found in Kelana Jaya house | Malay MailPETALING JAYA, May 14 — A 28-year-old man thought he could get away with growing ganja (cannabis) plants at a two-storey link house in Kelana Jaya here but the long arm of the law got him yesterday. Petaling Jaya (PJ) police chief ACP Mohd Zani Che Din said acting on a tip-off, police raided the...
Read more »
Illegal pig farming activities uncovered in PD
Read more »
PD beaches not affected by illegal pig farming, says Negri MBSEREMBAN: Port Dickson's beautiful beaches have not been affected by illegal pig farming activities in Site A near Negri Sembilan's border with Selangor, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminudin Harun.
Read more »
Cops bust gang of vending machine thieves with arrest of four menSUNGAI BULOH (Bernama): The police have busted the 'Gedegang Gang' behind the thefts of vending machines with the arrest of four men recently.
Read more »