MARS: Robot system for planting and accurate documentation

MARS uses small robots operating in swarms and a cloud-based solution to plan, monitor and accurately document precise planting of corn. Satellite navigation and data management in the cloud allows operations to be conducted round the clock, with permanent access to all data. The position and planting time of each seed is accurately recorded. Knowing exactly where the seed has been planted opens up new potential for the rest of the process, since subsequent operations over the plant cycle, such as protecting or fertilising plants, can be performed precisely according to the individual plant.

Planning for the required field, for seeds, seed patterns and density is carried out via the MARS app. The intelligent OptiVisor algorithm plans the robot’s deployment based on the entered parameters, and calculates the optimal paths for the units involved and the time required for completion of the job.

Software updates for the system can be loaded “over the air”, just as a remote diagnostic can be run conveniently and in any location via the smart device.

Thanks to the battery-operated, electrical motor (approx. 400 W), the low weight (approx. 50 kg), and the autonomous operation, planting can continue round the clock, 7 days a week, even in conditions which conventional machines find difficult, e.g. due to the state of the ground or noise emissions. This increases the productivity and flexibility of the system. In relation to the large tyres, the ground pressure is almost negligible (approx. 200 g/cm²).

The robots need around 70% less energy to do the same work, and accordingly produce less CO₂ when doing it. Since neither diesel nor oil is required to operate the robots, there is no leakage and there are no local emissions.

The robots are easy to mechanically assemble, do not use complex sensors, and are therefore highly robust. Their small size and light weight makes maintenance easier, and means that the system is intrinsically safe.