Fendt pioneers autonomous planters
The new age is truly upon us as manufacturers push for fully autonomous machines. We have seen an increase in development of such vehicles within the passenger car segment but an equal amount of development exists within the agricultural sector. Tractor makes have introduced a number of semi-autonomous vehicles however there is always more that can be offered. Fendt has recently introduced their autonomous planter. Here are the details.
Automation and autonomy are hot topics when it comes to sustainable farming technology. As such, the Research & Advanced Engineering department of the agricultural engineering manufacturer, Fendt, has been working on strategic future topics. The aim is reduce the tiresome, manual work that still calls for a number of labourers working on the field. This eliminates the burden of monotonous work and paves the way for more sustainably produced foods, reduced environmental impact and increased production.
After extensive field testing, the strategic research project Fendt Xaver has seen the entire robotics system further developed – including Smart Farming aspects. Not only do these new robots look different from both previous models, but after extensive field testing, the entire system has been enhanced – including in the field of smart farming.
What is the Fendt Xaver?
In the 1930s, the brothers Hermann and Xaver Fendt founded ‘Maschinen- und Schlepperfabrik Xaver Fendt & Co.’, named after their grandfather Xaver Fendt. Regarding the new robots the name ‘Xaver’ incorporates tradition and the latest agricultural technologies.
Fendt’s new Xaver system uses small robot units operating in swarms and a cloud solution to plan, monitor and accurately document the precise planting of corn. Satellite and data management in the cloud allows navigation around the clock operations, with permanent access to all data.
What are the advantages?
The exact position and sowing time of each seed is accurately recorded. Knowing exactly where the seed has been planted opens up new potential for further processes, since subsequent operations such as crop protecting or fertilising, can be performed precisely at the individual plant. Xaver can quickly space the seeds with utmost precision. With the help of an electrically driven control system, individual grains are deposited with centimetre-accuracy at a pre-defined distance in the row. The grains are dropped in the furrow by a flexible firmer. In addition to the energy aspects, ecological elements also play a role. The seed sowing robots have no air pollutants or noise emissions, nor can they leak oil. Ground pressure is up to 80% lower than with conventional machine systems
How does it work?
Thanks to the three-wheeled design of the Xaver, the last wheel not only drives the robot, but also acts as a gauge wheel. When it passes over, it compacts the soil gently to the side and above the seed, closing the soil around the seed grain to ensure the moisture supply and initiate germination. At just two metres, the new Fendt Xaver needs hardly any space when turning and the rear steering and AWD mean it can perform the process energy-efficiently even on soft ground. The seed tank capacity is rated at 20 litres, enough for around 0.5 ha at 90,000 grains/ha.
What powers the Xaver?
Powering the Xaver is a 2.6 kWh lithium-ion battery which offers around 1.5 hours of operation time. A swarm of six robot units achieves an area coverage of around 3 ha/h including loading times of around 2 ha/h. The system enables round-the-clock, autonomous use. Fendt Xaver is also integrated into the FendtONE platform and can be managed together with the rest of the machine fleet. This allows a seamless exchange of field data, including waylines, between tractor and robot as well as between robot and database, making light work of creating job orders.
