Although we’re barely on the eve of widespread adoption of full autonomy in farm machinery, it is slowly becoming mainstream thinking across the equipment industry — and farm machinery shows are starting to tailor events to better showcase it, even in concept and prototype machines.
To do exactly that, German agricultural society DLG — the organizer of Agritechnica, the world’s largest farm machinery show — has added a new feature, called FarmRobotix, to its upcoming outdoor Feldtage (the German name for field days) event.
Read Also
Case IH, New Holland dealers to see more integration
CNH plans for “more than 15 new tractor launches, 10 combine launches, 19 crop production launches and over 30 precision technology releases between now and the end of 2027.”
“FarmRobotix is to become a platform that will supply farmers with relevant information,” Dr. Malene Conlong, DLG’s international press liaison, explains. “The platform will celebrate its premiere as part of the DLG Feldtage field day event.”
Robotics has already been part of the annual field days event for several years; the show has hosted a design competition for field robotics. The FarmRobotix focus will emphasize that element of emerging technology.
“The Field Robot Event, a contest for international students, is regularly held at the DLG Feldtage,” Conlong says. “That event includes field robots designed by students that can complete tasks like weed recognition.”
The purpose of the new FarmRobotix event will be to bring together farmers, manufacturers, start-ups and suppliers of farm robot technology. According to a DLG press release, the event allows for “a comprehensive and practical overview of farm robotics that aids decision making for the farm and offers impetus for product development.
“Also attracting representatives from science and research as well as development engineers, investors and venture capitalists who come to network, transfer knowhow and explore innovative technologies, FarmRobotix promotes business networking.”
But the FarmRobotix focus on emerging autonomous technology won’t be confined just to the annual field day event.
“Now with its own label, the FarmRobotix brand not only fits in with the DLG Feldtage, but will also complement the exhibition and specialist program at other DLG trade fairs in the future,” Conlong says.
“Robotics and automation were already a topic at previous DLG events, but now the DLG expects the focus to be even greater. At last year’s Agritechnica, we already had 70 exhibitors presenting their robotics solutions. There is also a great deal of interest in the premiere at the DLG Feldtage.”
At this year’s EuroTier exhibition — another DLG-organized event in Germany, focused on animal husbandry — there will be a “Barn Robot Event,” featuring live demonstrations of feed pusher robots.
The Feldtage event will be held June 11-13 this year at the site’s permanent location at Erwitte, Germany, about 60 km east of Dortmund. For more information visit the DLG website.
Drones at home
Here in Canada, ag equipment shows are also paying attention to the trend. Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, at Woodstock, Ont., features a dedicated demonstration area for autonomous equipment.
Both COFS and the Ag in Motion show at Langham, Sask. have demonstration areas for new drone technology.
“At Ag in Motion it’s a themed area of the trade show,” says Rob O’Connor, AIM’s show manager, noting both AIM and COFS are providing stages to promote ag tech innovation.
“Many of these use AI to recognize weeds or individual animals. In these cases the equipment either makes a decision based on parameters to act, or provides advice such as a treatment protocol to the farmer who then makes a decision.
“We also showcase much of this technology in our Innovation in Ag program and awards the evening prior to the first day of the shows.”
“Automation will continue to increase and become more established in agriculture,” Conlong says, “making it an even more important market for suppliers and buyers.
“Take crop cultivation, for example, where automation will become even more important over the next 10 years against the backdrop of sustainable cultivation.”
