patchCROP Feldrobotik-Tag 2024

On April 30, 2024, the patchCROP Field Robotics Day took place in eastern Brandenburg. Various manufacturers showcased digital tools and field robots for agriculture at the ZALF Landscape Laboratory patchCROP. Additionally, experts from research and agriculture discussed current challenges and solutions regarding agricultural robotics.

The Field Robotics Day impressively demonstrated how digitalization and autonomous technologies can revolutionize agriculture. The lecture program began with exciting insights: Professor Thomas Herlitzius introduced the "Field Swarm" project – a fleet of connected, autonomous agricultural machines that save time while working in an environmentally friendly manner. Markus Gandorfer from the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture presented the concept of strip cropping, where different crops are alternately grown in strips to promote biodiversity. Robots in this context are not only meant to compensate for labor shortages but also enable more precise and resource-efficient work processes.

In the subsequent panel discussion, central questions about the future of agriculture were discussed: The experts explored the challenging balance between innovative high-tech solutions and practical challenges in everyday farming. It became clear that robotics could not only alleviate labor shortages and improve competitiveness but also pose challenges for small farms. There were urgent calls to push forward digitalization, particularly with infrastructure, and to ensure that farmers receive fair prices for sustainably produced products. Prof. Ewert summed it up aptly: The transformation of agriculture is a societal task.

The highlight of the day was the live demonstrations: Autonomous robots and digital tools took over the field, promising more efficiency, resource conservation, and environmental protection. These technologies are already handling numerous tasks like weeding and sowing, and, due to their lightweight design, they cause less soil compaction compared to conventional machines. Especially the patchCROP Landscape Laboratory of ZALF showed how robots and sensors are used to manage fields in a biodiversity-friendly and sustainable way.