Spraying orchards and vineyards is far from eco-friendly, as tractors release exhaust while covering crops with herbicides and pesticides. This issue led to the creation of the electric, autonomous Prospr robot.

Produced by New Zealand agritech company Robotics Plus, the all-wheel-drive robotic vehicle was introduced last September at the FIRA agricultural robotics show in California.[1] It is now commercially operating in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.

Figure 1. Prospr Robot Aims to Tackle Farm Worker Shortage

The robot includes a range of features such as a refillable spray tank, multiple spray fans, a diesel generator, a battery pack, and four rugged, knobby-tired wheels, each powered by its own electric motor. Figure 1 shows Prospr Robot Aims to Tackle Farm Worker Shortage.

For shorter spray tasks, Prospr runs solely on battery power. For extended jobs, the generator activates to supply electricity, reportedly enabling the robot to operate continuously all day without the need for recharging or refueling. Consequently, Prospr is said to consume up to 72% less fuel than a conventional diesel tractor doing the same work.

Navigated by GPS, the robot travels up and down rows of vines or trees, spraying crops on either side as it moves. Using a combination of LiDAR sensors and cameras, it detects and identifies obstacles in its path, adjusting its speed or stopping as needed.

Prospr is also equipped with a pressure-sensitive front bumper that halts the robot if it encounters strong resistance. Additionally, it features an on-board emergency stop button as a backup safety measure.

At the end of each row, a patented steering mechanism enables the robot to pivot on its rear axle, minimizing its turning radius to efficiently proceed down the next row.

Users have the flexibility to customize the robot by swapping in various types and numbers of spray fans. They can also program it to apply precise amounts of herbicide or pesticide in specific orchard or vineyard areas, optimizing chemical use. [2] Through a control panel on a laptop or tablet, users can monitor multiple Prospr units and even take manual remote control if needed.

If you'd like to see the robot firsthand, it’s back at the FIRA show this week in Sacramento, where its capabilities are showcased in the following video.

Prospr isn't the only robot designed for tending vineyards or orchards. Several similar devices are currently in development, but the Slovenian-designed Slopehelper and the large Herbicide GUSS are already commercially available.

References:

1. https://wikifarmer.com/en/infusing-smart-precision-are-robotic-crop-sprayers-the-key/
2. https://newatlas.com/robotics/prospr-vineyard-orchard-spraying-robot/

Cite this article:

Janani R (2024), A Crop-Spraying Robot Is Engineered to Lower Emissions and Minimize Herbicide Use, AnaTechmaz, pp. 95