Robotic Following Cart to Replace Light Duty Tractor Tasks?

[candersen10]

There's a short video of Burro now. We're working on an attachment plan also. Would a robot that can follow to learn, then run recorded paths over and over again open up any attachments? Sprayers, etc.?

Machine is about 4HP, runs for 8 to 10 hours on swap-able batteries (20 miles or so), carries around 400-500 pounds.

 

[MossRoad]

One thing to also remember is that if field hands are anything like the dock hands that I dealt with for 30 years is that they will break it. We had a saying:

You can make it idiot proof, but you can't make it dock proof.

And it was true.

First thing they're gonna do is ride that thing. I see a huge pinch point between the tires. Someone's leg goes in there, and it's gonna be ground beef.

That touch screen and red button are gonna get hammered pretty quick. We had to keep a large stock of red buttons, because, if they weren't recessed, they'd get knocked off or at least cracked very often. If it was a stationary machine, they'd run something into the buttons and if it was a mobile machine, they'd run the buttons into something stationary.

All those cable connectors won't last, either. Even though they are underneath, they'll get whacked.

I know you're still prototyping, so those might be planned to be covered or relocated, If so, take it with a grain of salt. But anything that sticks out will be broken off, or will catch on a person's clothing. Keep at it. :thumbsup:

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I'm starting to see self-propelled utility carts with rechargeable batteries. Here's an example, I'm not sure if it's a good one, just the first I could find in a quick search:
Amazon.com : Snapper XD SXDUC82 82V Cordless Self-Propelled Utility Cart with 3.7 cu. ft. Cargo Bed : Garden & Outdoor

If you feel your core competency is the navigation software you might find you're better off developing add-on navigation for existing carts.

 

[candersen10]

I'm starting to see self-propelled utility carts with rechargeable batteries. Here's an example, I'm not sure if it's a good one, just the first I could find in a quick search:
Amazon.com : Snapper XD SXDUC82 82V Cordless Self-Propelled Utility Cart with 3.7 cu. ft. Cargo Bed : Garden & Outdoor

If you feel your core competency is the navigation software you might find you're better off developing add-on navigation for existing carts.

Thanks for the tip - it makes sense although we've found that the autonomy and the platform itself are really tied together. Its very hard to just develop one side.

 

[candersen10]

Interface explained - seem intuitive?

 

[ning]

Interface explained - seem intuitive?

Needs voice recognition, "hey Burro!"

 

[candersen10]

Needs voice recognition, "hey Burro!"

We'll keep that in mind.

Any thoughts on attachments people might want on a small robot?

Cargo, towing a mower, spraying, cultivator on the side against weeds, carrying sensors, etc. - those types of things?

We can learn a path and run it over and over again over many days.

 

[cqaigy2]

Maybe a bird repellent laser. One laser unit moved from place to place.

 

[candersen10]

Maybe a bird repellent laser. One laser unit moved from place to place.

Most commercial operators we have seen are using bird netting.

 

[MossRoad]

Most commercial operators use bird netting.

View attachment 564761

Most commercial operators of what?

We live just a few miles from southwest Michigan. Thousands of square miles of orchards, vineyards, berries, etc..... I've never seen bird netting on anything, ever. Just curious as to what crops and where?