Nature Robots

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Our Vision We are dedicated to promoting regenerative, ecological, and especially small-scale farming practices by leveraging the power of AI and robotics in a way that is in harmony with humans and nature. PlantMap (Powerful Long-term Autonomous Navigation Towards Monitoring Agricultural Plants) is a project developed by the DFKI Niedersachsen in Osnabrück that comprises a start-up under the EXIST transfer of research programme, in which an autonomously navigating robot is employed to generate a temporally and spatially high resolved, three-dimensional plant map of individual plants as well as entire beds to support ecological agriculture.

Biodiversity. Sustainability. Microfarming.

Biointensive cultivation goes beyond the cultivation of over 30 different vegetable varieties; it also has a positive impact on nature by facilitating symbiotic relationships between plants and insects. Proper soil preparation is also a critical component- compost, for example, plays a significant role in the necessary build-up of humus. Maintaining and promoting soil fertility is essential for successful biointensive cultivation. In fact, with this sustainable farming practice, a farm can operate profitably on less than one hectare of land. Despite its numerous benefits, however, many potentially interested parties lack the necessary agronomic knowledge to start their own farms.

more Technology

Waypoint Navigation

The system autonomously plans and controls the robot based on a network map (waypoint graph) that covers the field, garden or plantation to process the robot’s tasks.

Flexible Navigation Control

The main components of a robust autonomous system are flexible navigation control, integration with higher-level tasks, and interaction with the environment.

3D Environment mapping

The creation of high-resolution and precise 3D environment maps and surface models serves e.g. as a basis for 3D mesh navigation, object surveying or ground truth.

3D Mesh Navigation

Autonomous 3D mesh navigation in rough terrain: We developed a new disrubtive surface mesh navigation technology made for universal navigation, e.g., in steep and multi-layered environments, such as in forests and through tunnels.

3D Plant Mapping

Automated 3D mapping of plants on the fly. Multiple calibrated sensors generate a high resolution plant map.

Plant Instance Segmentation

Automated segmentation of plants in images (2D) and based on point clouds (3D) allow plant-specific interaction with the environment (live or on-demand)

Microfarming

This farming method is also known as biointensive farming and can yield about 200 times more profit per hectare than an average conventional farm.

Agroforestry

This ancient form of land use is not an innovative concept, but a system that is being forgotten, in which trees and other perennial plants are integrated into an agricultural area.

Conventional cultivation

We also want to support interested parties from conventional vegetable production with our solution approach to consider biointensive cultivation methods as an alternative or supplement to the existing range.

Viticulture

In Germany, grapes are grown on around 100,000 hectares in 13 wine-growing regions. A large part of the work to be performed amounts to pruning and harvesting. Our technology can make these processes more efficient and targeted.