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Robots are conquering Australia, first Gatton AgTech Showcase

02-11-2023 | |
Swarm farm robot spraying weeds in a broadacre configuration.
Swarm farm robot spraying weeds in a broadacre configuration.

The Gatton AgTech Showcase is the first demonstration event in Australia for the latest advances in AgTech, featuring farm robotics, sensors, drones, greenhouse cultivation, post-harvest management, ground cover and strip-till, among others.

Organized by Hort Innovation and the Queensland government, the show attracted over 1000 attendees, reflecting the extent to which technology and robots are gaining ground in the country. Many horticulture growers, agribusinesses, technology companies, consultants, researchers, and students from the Lockyer Valley, across Australia were attempting to see these machines in operation.

For the manufacturers to show what they could do in real-life conditions, the Gatton smart farm had prepared a playground with different crops and different configurations. It was a great opportunity to see the latest evolution, with some being shown in Australia for the first time.

In the spraying robot category, two local manufacturers were represented.

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Flux robotics machines spraying weeds in shallots.
Flux robotics machines spraying weeds in shallots.

The Swarm Farm robot evolving with a 12 meters sprayer. We do not need to present their machines anymore; their product will be the subject of a user feedback soon.

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The Robotti was performing mechanical weeding on sweetcorn.
The Robotti was performing mechanical weeding on sweetcorn.

Flux robotics

The Flux robotics spraying technology, with spot spraying system integrated. A classic spraying frame on which have been integrated cameras with AI system that can detect weeds from crops. This Australian machine has recently been launched on the market, more dedicated to vegetable growers. During the show the machine sprayed weeds on three beds of shallots, but the model seems to be trained for other crops too.

Then on the show we could spotted many weeding solution robots and smart implement tools from overseas. Most of them freshly arrived on the Australian market, with less than a season experience.

Farmdroid in four wheels configuration performing weeding on small sweetcorn, previously seeded.
Farmdroid in four wheels configuration performing weeding on small sweetcorn, previously seeded.
The Stout system performing mechanical weeding on one bed broccolis.
The Stout system performing mechanical weeding on one bed broccolis.
Einböck implement with camera and Kult weeders performing mechanical weeding on sweetcorn.
Einböck implement with camera and Kult weeders performing mechanical weeding on sweetcorn.

Two other robots were at the show, the GUSS Automation spraying system and the small Burro. Unfortunately, they were not demonstrating for this edition.

Guss robot.
Guss robot.

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Guillaumot
Maxence Guillaumot Product and Market Analyst, AgTech Market