Robots
Innovative automation supporting next-generation agricultural systems
Robots – potential in agriculture
As tractors provided an improvement in efficiency over the use of horses in the past; robotics has great potential for being the next step in agricultural efficiency. The use of robotics has the possibility to produce more from the land with less labour, less inputs, and fewer negative impacts using a data-driven approach.
Whilst this seems dreamed up from science fiction, autonomous agricultural robots are already available as an evolution of current precision farming technology. However, they require further testing and successful use cases in a field environment to provide farmers confidence in their ability to address some of the many challenges they face; as well as providing evidence of cost-benefit for their businesses. Robots have already had an impact on livestock farming with scraper, feeding, and milking parlour systems, and their development is progressing with success in other sectors. Whether that is to help pick fruit without the need for human intervention, carry out arable fieldwork autonomously, or survey fields for greater insight and higher resolution data capture.
Through research and development work at the institute, we look to cultivate collaborative links for testing robot platforms with Scottish and UK research institutions and spin-in companies. We offer a unique opportunity in the agritech space that allows parties from both sides to be fully conversant within the research-business ecosystem.
Andrew Christie, Agronomist and Agri-Tech Specialist
Through research and development work at the institute, we look to cultivate collaborative links for testing robot platforms with Scottish and UK research institutions and spin-in companies. We offer a unique opportunity in the agritech space that allows parties from both sides to be fully conversant within the research-business ecosystem.
Our relationship with the National Robotarium has brought us access to a variety of robotic systems being evaluated and developed with help from their specialist robot engineers. Demonstrations on-site have included robotic platforms that belong to different visions for their implementation, such as large-scale autonomous units capable of operating commercial farm implements like the AgXeed AgBot, and modular, along with smaller-scale units designed to work in teams (swarm robotics) as was the vision for the Small Robot Co. TomV4 robot.
Robots are increasingly being developed to assist with agricultural tasks such as crop monitoring, harvesting and field management. James Hutton Institute Scientific Services collaborates with partners to explore how robotic technologies can improve efficiency and precision in modern farming systems.
Robotic systems can help reduce labour demands, increase efficiency and improve accuracy in farming operations. James Hutton Institute Scientific Services supports research into how robots can enhance productivity while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.
Agricultural robots can assist with tasks such as crop inspection, data collection, precision spraying and harvesting. Through collaborative research, James Hutton Institute Scientific Services helps test and develop robotic solutions for real-world farming challenges.
