Automation and digitalisation are two of the focuses of the Agro Innovation Lab. Our aim is to gather knowhow on the latest systems and to consider how these innovations can be made available to farmers in Austria as quickly as possible.
Spot spraying with ARA from Ecorobotix
In autumn 2022, the AIL – together with our project partners RLH Amstetten, RLH Marchfeld, RWA and several interested test farms – demonstrated and tested the “ARA” spot spraying system from Ecorobotix. The primary areas of application were dock control in grassland and plant protection in onions. The results of the tests were very convincing, with particular praise been given to the technical sophistication and professionalism of the system, both of which are important prerequisites for further cooperation.
Due to the positive feedback from the Lagerhaus cooperatives and participating farmers, RWA/LTC will purchase a system and make it available to the cooperatives as a rental device as soon as possible. The AIL will analyse the use of the system in order to generate knowledge about smart and sustainable crop protection and to fine-tune its areas of application. This will benefit not only the young company Ecorobotix, but also, most importantly, agriculture across Austria.
Autonomous mechanical weed control with ORIO from Naïo
Autumn 2022 also saw the launch of a project by the AIL and RWA’s Farming Innovation Department, the aim of which is to evaluate the potential for mechanical weed control using an autonomous field robot. This will involve an ORIO implement carrier from Naïo Technologies, a shifting frame from Tillett and Hague and classic hoeing tools from a Dutch manufacturer. The testing programme at an organic arable and vegetable farm in the Marchfeld will assess, amongst other things, the weed control performance of the entire system, while also offering practical experience with the use of autonomous systems.
Photo: (c) Ecorobotix, bzw. Naio Technologies (News – Overview).