Applications in large scale farming productivity and safety

There have been a lot of technological innovations in agri-tech in the past decade. Robotics is becoming more advanced as a result of autonomous sensor platforms, computer vision, and the integration of biomechanics.

A wheeled robot is one that is capable of movement and is being used within the agricultural industry. Farmers are able to use robots to automate more tasks. They can boost productivity and learn more about their crops.

Jeff Hawks, who has a Ph D from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Mechanical Engineering, works in integrating robots into industry automation and other applications. He has demonstrated how robots can be used to improve safety, such as allowing a remote-control robot to manipulate sweep augers. Prior to the robots, individuals would enter the grain bins, which can become a death trap.

Hawks has worked closely with farmers and manufacturers to ensure that the robot design is capable of helping farmworkers. It uses lights and cameras to assist farmers with lifting the sweep auger so that grain can flow continuously.