Technology is becoming a key tool in the field. Farmers are increasingly optimizing their work with machines and systems that allow them to have more control over the harvest. In this way, problems such as labor shortages or drought are minimized that much of Europe suffers during the driest months of the year. Farmers are investing in irrigation devices that use up to 70% less water or in robots that can plant more than 6,000 seeds in just three seconds.
From simple monitoring and analysis of plants, to their pruning or planting, agricultural robots save time and effort for field professionals. However, these environments are not always easy for machines designed to travel on roads. Just like the rovers that explore the rugged terrain of the Moon or Mars, agricultural robots need designs that can adapt to all kinds of irregularities.
Out of this need comes all-terrain robots that balance their wheels independently to self-level while moving over steep terrain. It's like this KATR a robot that uses extendable legs to keep your charger stable.
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In Europe, Ribeira Sacra is an example of these “impossible” cultures. The distribution of the vineyard into terraces or terraces to overcome the slope of the land can be extreme in this area, which clearly makes mechanization impossible. In areas like this, using drones to analyze crops or transport materials is becoming popular. However, this equipment cannot get very close to crops or their roots due to the damage that can be caused by the wind generated by their blades. Instead, they need robots or rovers that adapt to all types of terrain.
For all terrains
KATR stands for Kubota All-Terrain Robot. It was designed by the Japanese company Kubota Tractor Corporation thinking of covering all types of terrain to be useful in agriculture and construction. This is a continuation of the New Agri Concept agricultural model that they presented last year with autonomous and electric technology.
The robot uses different limbs to move across different terrains. If the track is smooth and level, the KATR only needs to drive with four inside wheels like a car would. On the contrary, if you face a bumpy circuit, The robot rises on four larger outer wheelsleaving the previous four up in the air.
Each of these wheels is located at the end of a hydraulic leg that extends or retracts autonomously to keep the central body of the robot always in a horizontal position. To operate independently, each wheel has its own electric motor.
How do the legs know how to contract or extend to maintain balance? Use of an algorithm patented by the company that monitors the field and the action of the vehicle, supported by a series of on-board sensors.
El motor puede funcionar con un motor eléctrico o de combustión. La elección es del cliente para poder adaptar el uso del robot a cada terreno si cuenta con corriente para cargarlo cerca o, por el contrario, necesita hacer uso de combustibles.
Se trata de un robot de 116 cm de ancho y puede variar en longitud entre 115 y 234 cm, dependiendo de la posición de sus patas con ruedas. Puede cargar hasta 129 kilogramos, entre materiales o sensores con los que realizar la tarea para la que sea requerido.
Cuidando los cultivos
La empresa asegura que puede equiparse con diversas herramientas y sensores dependiendo de las tareas que se le vayan a otorgar a KATR. Puede servir para transportar materiales o vigilar las inmediaciones del terreno. Pero si se le equipa con las herramientas adecuadas también puede recolectar datos de la plantación, incluso trabajar en la cosecha o la poda de las plantas.
Por ejemplo, otros robots agrícolas como los creados por Robotics Plus, empresa neozelandesa, se utilizan para pulverizar de forma autónoma la plantación. El sistema inteligente del robot analiza las necesidades de las plantas y controla el caudal para ser más eficiente a medida que se desplaza por las hileras de los huertos y viñedos.
Este tipo de robots también ayudan con otras tareas como el control de las malas hierbas, la siega, el acolchado del suelo para defender los cultivos de los agentes atmosféricos y el análisis de los cultivos. Equipados con sistemas de visión y otras tecnologías pueden informar de posibles plagas y enfermedades sin que los agricultores deban estar recorriendo los extensos cultivos constantemente.
La intención de la empresa japonesa es alquilar KATR para usos puntuales. Este servicio comenzaría el año próximo con un coste de mantenimiento de 1.980 yenes por hora de uso, lo que equivale a 12,27 dollars al cambio.
