Corteva Agriscience uses maneuverable mobile robots to move between rows of crops

2021: Spot Robots Application

On August 12, 2021, the company Corteva Agriscience announced plans to take agricultural robotics it to the next level with help from the Spot robot company. Boston Dynamics The company began using this agriculture maneuverable platform to move between rows of crops of corn, sunflower and other crops. Thanks to the ability of the robot to collect, large amounts of data support the use of new molecules for plant protection and inspect work, it has excellent potential for testing in the fields of solutions in the field of seed production and plant protection. The numerous abilities that Spot possesses can help Corteva gain the most complete understanding of complex phenotypes in order to develop research and selection processes.

Corteva named its robot Anatoly (abbreviated as "Annie") in honor of Anatolian shepherds - the favorite dog breed of Pioneer founder Henry A. Wallace. Annie is able to work on uneven surfaces for a long time in high daytime temperatures, protecting Corteva employees from potentially dangerous situations. This lightweight and mobile robot is another example of how Corteva boldly expands scientific boundaries to increase the level of safety and sustainability of agriculture.

Annie's capabilities in the field of proximal sensing and the ability to perform certain actions on a given plot or on a single plant will help us verify the accuracy of processes, "comments Jeff Graham, head of seed product development. - The possibility of using a robot that can move between rows of sown fields and at the same time is able to carry and use tools to collect data or more effectively use the drug has incredible potential, as we expand the boundaries of our offer to farmers.

Spot robots automate the processes of sensing and field checks, collect unlimited data and have no restrictions in terms of conducting research, making them safer, more efficient and predictable. Corteva also works with Trimble, a provider of positioning solutions and services that maximize performance and increase profitability, to initially test the concept and integration of precision GPS management technologies for the Spot robot platform. Jointly developed by three companies, the solution combines Spot robot mobility with Trimble autonomous navigation capabilities and Corteva's innovative approach, which helps farmers solve the most pressing agricultural problems.