The Dot is a much-hyped autonomous vehicle. This year Haggerty Creek in Canada tested it ‘on the job’ to see how ready it is for real farm life.
unattended while they continue tweaking its programming. “One of the things we didn’t fully realise is the need to plan what you’re going to do ahead of time,” says Baresich. “Every time it gets to the edge of the field, you’re happy that it slows down.” So, for the time being, operators continue to follow the platform to ensure that issues don’t arise. Do- ing so gives them additional opportunities to measure and evaluate whether further altera- tions could be made. A physical shut-off system is also being used as an additional safety measure. It’s comprised of cables connected to pairs of hinged arms extending outwards from the machine’s four corners – the idea being that any obstruction will hit a cable, thus opening the arms and triggering a shut-down. Still, Baresich says one of the best aspects of using the Dot is be- ing able to watch the machine work while doing other things, like calling clients or enganging in agronomic tasks. “You can’t do those things while manually operating a piece of equipment.”
Refinement for marketability Like other large pieces of field equipment, the Dot Power Platform doesn’t come cheap. The cost of the central unit is around $ 300,000, with each implement ranging from $ 150,000 to $ 200,000, depending on how many of what Baresich calls “bells and
What is the Dot, and what does it do?
The Dot Power Platform is an autonomous, diesel-powered unit designed to do a variety of in-field tasks, currently including granular fertiliser application, spraying, and planting. Interchangeable units are available for each specific task, all of which are designed to fit the U-shaped structure of the central unit. After mapping field boundaries and avoid- ance areas with a GPS receiver, the user approves and uploads a path plan to the Dot software module. In-field autonomous operation can then begin.
whistles” you want. Overall, the work being done at Haggerty Creek stems from both a genuine interest in field autonomy and a rec- ognition that issues with the Dot need to be worked out before the platform can be suc- cessfully marketed to Ontario farmers.
The Dot is working effectively in its native prairie environment. However, the wide- sweeping turns, speed, and a variety of other small factors need some tweaking before the robot is optimised for use in smaller fields in Ontario or elsewhere in the world.
▶ FUTURE FARMING | 20 November 2020 49
PHOTO: RAVEN INDUSTRIES
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