Robot assisted weeding: an effective alternative to herbicide treatments

At the end of May, a demonstration event organized by the French interbranch organization (Sonito) brought together a number of growers from the south-east of France in a field of processing tomatoes, equipped with micro-irrigation, for a presentation by the Carré company. Distributed by Vantage, this company specializes in robotic equipment to assist agro-ecology and precision agriculture (GPS, drones, etc.). This event provided a detailed demonstration of the mechanical weeding performance of the ANATIS robot.

Based on feedback from the technical team, ANATIS assists farmers by fully autonomously performing mechanical weeding tasks. Thanks to its rear 3-point hitch linkage, the flexibility of this co-bot means that it can perform a variety of jobs using various tools.

The brand’s experience in mechanical weeding ensures that the machine is truly effective when performing this function. Further, the brand’s inter-row hoes and comb harrows have been adapted to optimize this work.
ANATIS is a connected agricultural co-bot that does not replace farmers in their daily work, but rather allows them to concentrate on activities that add the most value.
Using this type of material requires careful preparation and setup of the crop (layout of the plots, planting operations and drip irrigation installation, etc.)
 

Tool guide configuration
Sideways motion system integrated into the controlled lifting function using electric jacks
300 mm travel

Carré offers a wide range of equipment dedicated to the mechanical management of crops. The manufacturer is also developing camera guidance systems combining efficiency, selectivity and driving ergonomics. With Anatis, the equipment firm is entering a new dimension – that of autonomous vehicles and, specifically, hoeing robots. Anatis has been brought about by HKTC, a joint venture between Carré and Hydrokit. The equipment has an 8-hour autonomy, interchangeable batteries (rechargeable in 4 to 5 hours) and can be controlled remotely via a mobile app. The robot can also collect agronomic data (number of plants, size, etc.). Current legislation requires that it be used only within the field of vision of an operator. Excluding options, Anatis is available at a price of EUR 120,000.

Source : Carré, pleinchamp.com

Further details in the attached document: