In the heart of Sydfalster, Denmark, a revolution in arable farming is underway. Niels Kamper, a seasoned farmer, has been testing the FD20 field robot from Danish manufacturer Farmdroid, equipped with the innovative +Spray precision system. The results have been nothing short of remarkable, with a staggering 90% reduction in the use of crop protection products.
Kamper, who farms 150 hectares of sugar beets, barley, wheat, and red fescue, was approached by sugar beet processor Nordic Sugar to trial the FD20 robot with the spot spray system. The robot, powered by solar panels and equipped with a power bank for nighttime operation, worked tirelessly, sowing, weeding, and spraying 24/7. The FD20’s GPS-controlled precision allowed it to target only weeds, pests, or diseases, depending on the settings, leading to significant savings in chemical usage.
The FD20’s capabilities are impressive. With a working width of up to 3 meters and a capacity of up to 6.5 hectares per day, it can cover a substantial area. Its seed hopper capacity of 6 liters and row spacing options between 22.5 and 75 cm make it versatile for various crops. Despite a slight delay due to bad weather, the robot maintained an impressive plant density of 80,000 to 90,000 plants per hectare for the sugar beets, which grew well throughout the season.
However, Kamper noted a few areas for improvement. While the robot’s capacity for weeding and spraying was sufficient, its sowing speed was too slow for conventional farming practices. Beet seeds need to be planted quickly, within a few days, and the current speed of the FD20 might not meet this requirement. Kamper suggested increasing the robot’s speed or widening its capacity to more than 6 rows.
Farmdroid’s Regional Sales Manager, Rasmus Mikkelsen Thuesen, acknowledged the capacity challenge, particularly with sowing. He explained that the robot’s current capacity is around 5 hectares per day, and while increasing speed is one way to boost capacity, it’s not straightforward. The machine is currently approved to travel up to 1,000 meters per hour, and increasing this speed would require new approvals. Moreover, maintaining the same high sowing precision at increased speeds is a complex issue that Farmdroid is currently investigating.
The +Spray system, which enables a hybrid weed control approach by combining spot spraying with precision mechanical weed control, has proven to be a game-changer. It allows for savings of up to 94% compared to traditional methods, and the Farmdroid Spot Application System has even received certification from the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, a first for an automatic field robot.
The FD20’s GPS control is another strong point, allowing the robot to know the location of every individual plant. This precision means weed control can begin immediately after sowing, getting ahead of the weeds instead of waiting for them to grow large enough to be hoed using a camera.
Despite the minor setbacks, Kamper is satisfied with the FD20’s performance. The robot’s stability and precision in targeting weeds, pests, or diseases have significantly reduced the need for crop protection products. As Farmdroid continues to improve the FD20, both mechanically and in software, the future of arable farming in Denmark and beyond looks increasingly automated and sustainable. The FD20’s ability to work in many different crops and its integrated system, which avoids conflicts with third-party implements or software, make it a versatile tool for modern farming. With remote support via a GSM module, Farmdroid ensures that farmers like Kamper can make the most of this innovative technology.