Robotic Following Cart to Replace Light Duty Tractor Tasks?

[candersen10]

article in my college magazine this month
sorry, you'll likely have to zoom in

We know those guys fairly well. Cool application of tech - note they are in indoor warehouses. Most hand harvested produce is produced outdoors and step one to pick it autonomously is to navigate to it autonomously (which we have mastered).

 

[stuckmotor]

Few more videos of these in action:

(1) in blueberries: Burro in Blueberries - YouTube

(2) in table grapes: Burro helping out a crew in Coachella table grapes @ 118 degrees F - YouTube

Why was the gentleman in the blackberries video wearing a bandanna over his face? I see this quite often and can only guess at the reason.

 

[stuckmotor]

I remember years ago, over 20 years, that someone had invented a golf bag cart that followed the golfer around. It was battery powered and tracked a small transmitter that golfer had attached to the back of his pants. I don't recall if it ever went into production, It may have never made it past prototype.

In your video it appears that the cart is tracking the shovel, is that correct? There has to be a switch or sensor to stop the tracking so the shovel can be used to work the material.

I saw an announcement or possibly an ad for the follow along golf bag carrier too. Never knew of anyone owning one.

 

[candersen10]

I saw an announcement or possibly an ad for the follow along golf bag carrier too. Never knew of anyone owning one.

Our robots follow people perhaps 1% of a day in typical use. The rest of the time they are autonomous and running on their own.

 

[candersen10]

Here are some of the things we have done to test these Burros: What have we done to test Burros? - YouTube

 

[daugen]

Excellent! And the 600 per day savings sure pays for the unit though harvest time is fairly short. What do the growers use it for when not harvesting?
Getting good help is always hard, looks like you have a dependable team member there.

 

[candersen10]

Excellent! And the 600 per day savings sure pays for the unit though harvest time is fairly short. What do the growers use it for when not harvesting?
Getting good help is always hard, looks like you have a dependable team member there.

Harvesting table grapes (where these are generally used) in California is typically 100-120 days.

 

[daugen]

3-4 month harvest time, I doubt that came without some planning.
Makes the burro even more valuable.
Can they press a button and have it display another language?

Very impressed with how far you have come and glad you are asking for the sale now, confident in your abilities.
Not a product you can leave alone though...improved sensors may be game changers. New OSHA laws, etc.
Upgradeable is always good.

 

[daugen]

Maybe it's time for the bigger model, The Horse?
or in the order of beasts of burden, is the Donkey next?
That would go well in Australia, they'd be calling it the Donk.
So what beast of burden would be next in line.
Have a little contest on that.
Are we up to one that can pull a farm wagon yet?
Oxen. That's it. And a good name for a pulling cart. The Ox.
And it's larger cousin, the Twin-Ox.

This is what you do with a marketing background trying to dream up stuff to promote your product.
You are fishing and you don't know if you have the right hook.
If there's a Napa Valley grape exhibition each year, hope you are there.
When it's not being used, figure out a butler mode for it. Maybe something with a wine bottle holder, let it run around
and serve guests. Hey, they have a bunch of money invested in this, if it can't work, let it play...

 

[candersen10]

We'll be showing our newest robots for the first time at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA February 11-13th. if you want to see them in person, visit us: World Ag Expo 22 Floor Plan | World Ag Expo 22

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