Between a Rock and a Farm Raise - Meaning & Examples

The Expanding Landscape of Agricultural Robotics

A frequently overlooked aspect of the robotics discussion is the sheer breadth of tasks suitable for automation. This is particularly evident within the realm of agtech. Numerous agricultural robotics innovations have been observed, showcasing a remarkably diverse range of potential applications.

Traditional and Unexpected Automation

While automated tasks like harvesting produce, transporting payloads, and removing weeds are commonly anticipated, the scope extends beyond these. A surprising challenge facing farmers – rock removal – has recently come to the forefront.

For those unfamiliar with farm work, the impact of rocks on farming operations and equipment may not be immediately apparent. However, they represent a significant impediment to efficient agricultural practices.

TerraClear: Addressing a Fundamental Farming Problem

TerraClear initially gained attention in 2018, largely due to the background of its founder, previously associated with Smartsheet. Recognizing the substantial difficulties rocks pose to farmers and their machinery, the company developed a specialized tractor/robot specifically designed for rock collection.

This system, scheduled for release next year, boasts the capability of gathering up to 400 rocks per hour, with individual rocks weighing as much as 300 pounds.

Founder and CEO Brent Frei announced a recent $25 million Series A funding round, bringing the company’s total funding to $36 million.

Frei stated, “Over 400 million arable acres globally are awaiting a practical and economical solution to this issue.” He further emphasized that repetitive tasks are ideally suited for automation, and their technology significantly reduces the labor and time required for field preparation.

Bowery Farming: Vertical Farming and Advanced Technology

In the sphere of farms and robotics, Bowery Farming merits recognition for securing a substantial $300 million funding round. This valuation places the New York City-based company at $2.3 billion.

Robots, sensors, and artificial intelligence are integral to Bowery’s innovative vertical farming approach. The company currently supplies its produce to 850 grocery stores and has established a partnership with Amazon Fresh.

The future of indoor farming appears promising, driven by factors related to land utilization, climate considerations, and more.

Emerging Technologies and Research

Current research endeavors often pave the way for future successes. Several noteworthy projects deserve attention this week.

MIT is pioneering robotic inspection technology with the development of “Digger Finger,” a device capable of sensing and identifying objects beneath the surface. This skill holds potential for applications such as landmine detection, locating underground cables, and various other tasks.

A recent study published in Science by engineers at the University of Pittsburgh highlights the benefits of incorporating tactile feedback into prosthetic arms. This approach offers distinct advantages over relying solely on visual sensing, as detailed in the research.

The paper demonstrates that tactile feedback provides improvements over traditional vision-based systems.