FarmDroid

FarmDroid is a Danish company that makes solar-powered robots for seeding and weeding row crops. Its robots seed and mechanically weed without herbicides, using RTK GPS with an accuracy of 8 mm to place each seed. The firm is based in Denmark, and its site lists more than 500 customers worldwide. Its current models are the FD20, for fields of about 20 hectares, and the FD60, for around 60 hectares.

Seeding and weeding in one pass

The robots handle both seeding and weeding. A patented seeding system creates a precise seed pattern, and the robot later weeds between rows and within rows without a camera. The FD20 handles up to 12 rows and a 3.5 m working width. The FD60 handles up to 20 rows and a 6.75 m working width, and its larger seeding system suits bigger-seeded crops such as maize and beans. The company says payback can be as low as two years.

Power and models

• FD20: four onboard solar panels charge the battery, with an optional Power Bank for poor weather.
• FD60: a solar-first model with a built-in Range Extender that tops up the battery, running on as little as 1 to 1.5 litres of fuel per hectare.
• Events: the company shows its robots at field days and farm machinery shows.

Runtime and seed placement

With solar charging, the FD20 can operate around the clock, and its optional Power Bank adds up to 12 hours of runtime in poor weather. The FD60 is solar-first and keeps running through most of the season with its Range Extender. The seeding system uses RTK GPS and sensors, so that each seed is placed at a recorded position for weeding later.

Key facts

• Based in: Denmark
• Products: FarmDroid FD20, FarmDroid FD60
• Markets: more than 500 customers worldwide