In the heart of France’s agricultural landscape, a revolutionary solution is taking root, quite literally. Osiris Agriculture, a startup born from the minds of farmers in the North, has been quietly developing an autonomous precision irrigation system. The system, named Oscar, is designed to transform the way farmers approach hose reel irrigation, a common method used for crops like potatoes, beans, carrots, onions, and spinach.
Since its inception in 2020, Osiris Agriculture has been fine-tuning Oscar, an autonomous irrigation robot that combines cutting-edge RTK-GPS navigation with water-powered electric propulsion. The robot is equipped with hose reel technology and booms that span 24 to 40 meters, allowing it to irrigate fields efficiently. Oscar operates by following the sprayer tramlines, starting from the headland with the main water line. Once a tramline is completed, it reverses to the headland and moves on to the next, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Oscar’s hose, which can extend up to 600 meters, determines the number of tramlines it can complete before needing to reconnect to the main water line. The robot’s speed varies between 100 and 600 meters per hour, and by adjusting its forward speed, it can apply water at variable rates. The incoming flow of 30 to 60 cubic meters of water per hour is harnessed to generate the electricity needed to propel the vehicle, making it a self-sustaining unit. The track width currently ranges from 1.8 to 2.7 meters, ensuring it can navigate through various field conditions.
Osiris Agriculture has been deploying prototypes of Oscar in Illies, a region known for its potato crops, since 2022. Initially, two units were operational throughout the season, and by the end of this year, the company plans to launch Oscar commercially. The implications of this technology are significant. Currently, Oscar helps save 10% of water compared to standard hose reel systems by minimizing evaporation and drift. However, Osiris Agriculture has set its sights on achieving at least a 30% reduction in water usage without compromising crop yield or quality. This ambitious goal will be pursued through the integration of plant recognition technology, which will allow Oscar to apply water more precisely where it is needed.
The commercial launch of Oscar is set for later this year, with prices ranging from €200,000 to €300,000. This investment could pay off significantly for farmers, given the potential water savings and the precision that Oscar brings to irrigation. As water scarcity becomes an increasingly pressing issue globally, innovations like Oscar could be a game-changer for sustainable agriculture. By targeting not only irrigation but also fertigation and crop protection, Osiris Agriculture is positioning itself at the forefront of agritech innovation. The company’s journey from a farmer-founded startup to a pioneer in autonomous precision irrigation is a testament to the power of innovation driven by real-world needs. As Oscar rolls out across fields, it promises to redefine how we approach water management in agriculture, paving the way for a more sustainable and efficient future.