Autonomy and robotics in agriculture: US vs Europe
5 December 2024
As part of a Dutch trade and innovation mission, Erik Pekkeriet, programme manager Vision + Robotics at Wageningen University & Research (WUR), visited a trade fair and a number of Californian autonomy and robotics manufacturers in October. In doing so, he noticed that the US ecosystem is quite different from how the Netherlands and, more broadly, Europe look at autonomy and robotics in agriculture and horticulture.
‘Thanks to participating in the Dutch trade and innovation mission, in addition to attending the robotics trade fair FIRA-USA, we were able to take a look behind the scenes of companies such as Advanced Farm Technology, Augean Robotics (Burro), Blue River Technology, Bonsai Robotics, John Deere and Monarch Tractor. All specialists in their fields and very active in vision and robotics. This was a great opportunity and gave a good insight into the US ecosystem. Based on all the visits and impressions, I also dare to say that in Europe, we are definitely not lagging behind.’
US: autonomy as a replacement for labour
‘I see the Americans focusing particularly on autonomous vehicles to take out the labour factor in the form of drivers and chauffeurs. In doing so, they are very practical with, for example, cameras aimed at (analogue) meters in order to remotely read the state of those meters. A European/Dutchman would want to automate that and set automatic alarms for limits. Furthermore, I think it is positive that Americans are looking at cost efficiency in a strong sense and get rid of all technology that does not add immediate value. That brings benefits once you can scale up at attractive cost levels. At the same time, autonomy is easier to implement there because they can work mostly in dry conditions and on large plots. In Europe, we have to deal with wet conditions, different soil conditions, and smaller plots more often. I also notice that the Americans already go to the end user at lower TRL levels to test proofs of concepts and collect feedback from users. In this respect, we are often a bit (too) cautious and more reserved.’
Europe: pursuing sustainable overall picture
According to Pekkeriet, the European ecosystem differs from the American one mainly because Europe and also the Netherlands focus more on sustainability and on smart tools and machines. ‘You see that American growers, for example, do relatively little mechanical weed control and still rely heavily on artificial fertilisers and crop protection products. Surely we are further ahead in that area in terms of developments with robotisation and smart implements. That definitely offers opportunities for European manufacturers and research institutes.’
Similarities in autonomy and robotics
‘It is interesting to see how researchers and companies in the US are already more concerned with robot-human interaction and how the University of California – Davis (UC Davis) looks at robotisation. For example, they say ‘you can try to make field robots work faster for more capacity while often doing more crop damage. You can also approach that from the other side and run more cost-effective and scalable field robots at slower speeds’.’
According to Pekkeriet, there are also similarities between the two ecosystems. ‘For instance, with autonomy and robotisation, you have to have the back end – remote control and monitoring – exceptionally well in order to be able to sufficiently unburden a user. Technology is often still immature, yet you have to put in hours, but it is impractical to have R&D staff in the field 24/7. Even if you have found the perfect ‘launching customer’, you must at all times prevent them from abandoning their field robot due to too many failures. Something that is certainly still an issue now and why manufacturers assume one remote operator on four autonomous units. That should eventually be able to go to one in 10.’
Header image: Advanced Farms apple picking robot at FIRA USA 2024 (photo credit: René Koerhuis)
