Researchers increased their skills base during the project
A drone and robotic grabber collects a grain sample (top)
Modified kit sprayed the crop without human control (right)
minor alterations to the technology. Now that we have proved that automated field operations are
possible, we will be looking at ways of driving the tractor from the yard to the field without anyone in the seat. Navigating farm tracks is the obvious next step, so that the whole operation is fully automated. That may mean collaborating with partners that make vehicle
vision systems. Again, we know it is possible, so we would like to make it happen.
What were the key lessons for farmers from the Hands Free Hectare project? The main learnings are that the technology to do this is already available, can be very reliable and doesn’t have to cost what farmers are paying at the moment. What we achieved with the project shows you don’t have to spend $13,300 on a guidance system - $2,600 is enough. So things are going to get easier and cheaper and there are plenty of market developments coming through that reflect this, some of which can be described as disruptive technologies. We hope farmers will also find that automation and robotics
become more accessible. Technology is often built up to be very complex and expensive, when it doesn’t have to be. Farmers really can use it to their advantage, providing they are prepared to give it a go. Don’t let anyone tell you it is out of your reach.
Will in-field robots become a reality in the next five years? Definitely. There’s nothing to stop it happening. We’ve proved the technical barriers can be overcome, but there
are still some legislative issues and in the UK, we mustn’t forget about health and safety. Another potential minefield is public perception. In terms of timescales, the Japanese manufacturer Kubota has
already held a preview and demonstration of the autonomous farm machinery it is developing. The company expects to have some of them on the market in 2018. In India, Mahindra & Mahindra has developed a driverless
tractor and has invested hugely in robotics. Things are moving at a rapid pace and these companies have committed to making their vision a reality. There’s no doubt in my mind that the race is on.
What’s next for you? We have been very busy trying to secure funding. There are some exciting bigger projects that we would really like to collaborate on, as well as running the Hands Free Hectare again – only this time with a winter cereal crop. I’ve already mentioned navigation along tracks to the field as
an area of interest. Other things we are considering are full farm communication
coverage, as we were really pushing the boundaries of wi-fi in the project. When the tractor is moving, it is always in communication. Being able to beam everything up to a big network, for
instance, would give us greater capability. We are working in a fast-paced environment. There is money to be made by machinery manufacturers, so it’s great to be completely independent and have no commercial axe to grind.
▶ FUTURE FARMING | 9 November 2017 15
HARPER ADAMS UNIVERSITY, OLI HILL/RBI
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