Together with Swiss Future Farm, Hilcona is examining the use of robot technology to support bean cultivation. Robotti will be used to sow, weed and hoe crops on two farms in the Frauenfeld area. This not only makes the work easier, but also reduces to use of pesticides.

Hilcona has started a field test in which it is looking into the use of robot technology to support the cultivation of beans. Together with Swiss Future Farm, the field test will attempt to shed light on the potential benefits offered by the agricultural robot Robotti, the Schaan-based food producer writes in a press release. Robotti is to be used directly in connection with production activities and on different soil types in two Hilcona Agrar AG firms based in the Frauenfeld area.

Robotti is a type of GPS-controlled tractor that can be equipped with various tools and implements. According to the press release, Robotti has already mastered its first task, namely sowing the beans.

“Since the robot follows a fixed lane plan accurate to 2.5 centimeters, additional work can also be carried out very precisely in the same furrow later on”, comments Andreas Messerli from Hilcona Agrar AG in the press release. This means that weeds can be efficiently removed, in turn reducing the use of weed-killing chemicals. The project partners are now interested to see how Robotti will cope with other devices and in different weather conditions.

After the harvest, the plan is for the agricultural robot to also take over the hoeing of the bean field. “With the help of Robotti, it is possible for me as a farmer to focus on a second work task in the field at the same time”, explains Roman Gambirasio from Swiss Future Farm. In this context, Gambirasio cites the preparation of the soil for sowing and the installation of irrigation as examples.

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