Assessing the practicality of the robot platforms from Swarmfarm robotics

The SwarmFarm unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) was trialled in a vineyard in Coonawarra over a period of 14 months. Initially, the trial faced delays due to contracting issues, followed by setbacks related to COVID-19, which shifted the timeline from 2022-2024. The primary function of the UGV during this trial was inter-row vineyard slashing, and preliminary results suggest promising improvements in operational efficiency.

A comprehensive assessment was conducted, focusing on six key performance areas. The UGV successfully met three critical criteria: (1) Safety, (2) Navigation and Path Planning, and (3) Privacy and Security. However, components related to (4) Autonomous Decision Making and additional aspects of Navigation and Path Planning could not be fully evaluated due to time constraints. Specifically, the system was not tested on its ability to handle unexpected scenarios, such as fallen posts, pedestrians, animals, and other vehicles, nor was it assessed for its response to (5) Operate in Adverse Weather Conditions, including fog, rain, and nighttime operations. 

The trial highlighted two major shortcomings of the UGV. First, the system lacked sensitivity in dynamic environments, where Autonomous Decision Making is essential. This limitation significantly impacted operational efficiency, requiring frequent interventions in areas with dense vegetation and canopies, which ultimately increased costs and disrupted other vineyard operations. Second, challenges related to access to (6) Maintenance and Support led to downtime, hindering the anticipated completion of the trial. Addressing these issues will be crucial for enhancing the UGV’s effectiveness in future applications.

Additionally, four other extra areas were assessed, though they were weighted less heavily due to the novelty and early-stage development of UGV’s in the wine industry. These areas were 7) Efficiency, 8) Sustainability, 9) Sensor integration, and 10) System intuitiveness. Nonetheless, these areas have the potential to significantly enhance productivity and efficiency, contributing to reduced operational costs while aligning with sustainability goals in the industry’s transition toward a lower carbon footprint. Expanding current UGV capabilities into these areas could lead to improved resource management, reduced labour requirements, and optimised workflows - key factors in today’s competitive agricultural landscape. Detailed insights into these considerations are provided in the document below, along with comments for clarity. 

The project focused on analysing operational costs and estimating ROI, using existing vineyard machinery as a benchmark, while engaging industry partners through extension activities. However, the early trial termination limited data collection, preventing a full financial assessment. A modelled ROI based solely on slashing showed a negative return, indicating that using the UGV for slashing alone isn’t financially viable. This could improve if the UGV is used for other tasks, multiple rows are treated at once, functions are combined in a single pass, or one operator manages multiple units, all of which offer potential efficiency and labour savings. 

Objectives

This project will explore the application of autonomous robotic activities utilising existing vineyard equipment in the Coonawarra region on Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) vineyards.

The aims of the project:

1.    Visualise the robot working in a vineyard

a.    determine what operations the robot can undertake in a vineyard scenario
b.    understand the cost of operation, quality of result and maintenance required
c.    understand the risks associated with the robot’s operation and controls required to operate safely, and
d.    develop a ROI position.

2.    Industry extension/communication

a.    determine cross sector applications, and
b.    regular collaboration with funding partners and sector partners to extend information out to primary producers.

Approach

The project will assess the practicality of the robot platforms from Swarmfarm robotics to aid with the delivery and completion of established vineyard practices, traditionally performed by the current manual workforce. The project will provide field examples of how robotics can address the following concerns across approximately 1000 hectares (Ha) of vineyards in the premium wine growing region of Coonawarra:

• A pilot trial to establish the relevance of robotics to deliver and complete current vineyard tasks highlighted as being at risk due to the current ageing workforce. Review autonomous implement platform that can run existing industry standard implements, to complete tasks as required by sites, currently also being trialled in cotton, turf farming and horticulture. Key measures for success would include analysis of time and economic efficiencies along with safety assessments.
• The in-field operational capabilities of robotics will be calibrated with science and technology, engineering and mathematic (STEM) graduates, with the aim to attract a new labour force to manage, enhance and operate this equipment.
• The project outcomes and key learnings will be extended throughout the viticulture industry via annual field expo days, regular sector briefings and reports using multimedia channels. This will provide opportunities for other primary production sectors to review and identify capabilities for the technology.

Sector benefits

The project will determine the practicality of the robot platforms from Swarmfarm robotics to aid with the delivery and completion of established vineyard practices, traditionally performed by the current manual workforce.