SwarmFarm Robotics recently launched its new “dock and refill” capability. This new technology enables robots called SwarmBots to autonomously refill and refuel themselves.
"Many people see the issue of farm equipment, like tractors, planters, and harvesters, getting bigger and bigger and the inflexibility to customize management practices to meet the needs of local soil types and farming systems,” says Andrew Bate, CEO of SwarmFarm Robotics. “The difference with us is that we’ve done something to address that problem.”
SwarmBots are lightweight, efficient, and autonomous machines. They are capable of operating at optimal speed whenever the conditions are suitable for their specific operation. They can be used individually or in a “swarm” across a larger area.
The new Dock and Refill technology allows the SwarmBots to work continuously without the need for manual refilling and downtime. There are three components to the system: a docking arm, a payload pod, and traffic control. When the SwarmBot senses low fuel or product, it returns to a fixed docking station to refill. Multiple machines can use the same docking station.
SwarmBots can apply crop protection products and provide mowing and slashing applications. They can be used in a variety of row crops as well as in turf grass operations and orchards. The smaller size of the equipment also reduces soil compaction.
More than 2 million acres have been covered since the company began in 2015, and the current model is in beta testing in Australia. Orders will be open worldwide in spring 2024, with pricing to be determined.
“Dock and Refill fundamentally transforms the way we perceive farming machinery and its capabilities," Bate says. "Our vision has always been to design a farming system where productivity isn't inherently linked to the size of the equipment. With this development, we’re closer than ever to realizing that goal.”
Learn more at www.swarmfarm.com
EDITOR’S TAKE:
Every time we report on a new technology, it seems as though more and more potential savings of time and labor become a reality. This article creates visions of traditional equipment working in combination with SwarmBots to plant, fertilize and spray a field, with nearly no labor involved. Couple these developments with precision agriculture software and it truly creates more time for management and less and less direct involvement in the field. It is almost mind-boggling to think of all the potential. I think we will see farmers/ranchers acting more and more like large company CEO’s. They will spend more time planning, strategizing, marketing, etc. and less time engaged in manual labor. Let’s face it - farmers/ranchers are tech savvy, well-funded, intelligent and articulate. Put them at the top of your customer prospect list today.
