Researchers are to deploy a robotic dog in field trials to collect and stream real-time data in a bid to improve productivity for the agricultural sector.
‘Spot’, a wireless quadruped canine, will be used to stream live video, carry out 3D mapping and infrared assessments as part of a new ‘data-driven’ approach to farming.
Experts at the National Robotarium – the UK’s centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh – are leading the groundbreaking work to support decision-making for precision agricultural tasks.
The robot – developed by US robotics company Boston Dynamics – will be tested on a new 5G private network established at the facility by connectivity specialist Freshwave.
The network is being used to test robots with the aim of building the innovation centre’s digital capabilities for undertaking commercial projects. The project with Spot is based on an agricultural tech (agri-tech) need for a National Robotarium customer. The real-time data Spot collects will be used to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Portable 5G private networks have particular applications for the agri-tech sector. They provide high-speed, reliable internet access in remote or rural areas where traditional broadband is often limited, enabling better connectivity for devices and systems on the farm. The low latency offered by 5G allows real-time data collection and analysis, supporting immediate decision-making for precision agricultural tasks, such as crop monitoring and equipment adjustments.
And they can be easily deployed and moved as needed, making them ideal for seasonal or shifting agricultural operations where fixed infrastructure is impractical. The UK agritech industry is predicted to hit £15.6 billion by 2026.
Steve Maclaren, COO at the National Robotarium, said: “I’m delighted with what we’ve achieved with Freshwave’s portable 5G private network so far. Robots have the potential to transform the agricultural sector, similar to the way equipment such as tractors did so many years ago, but they need the right networks to power this data-driven approach.
“This portable 5G private network is going to allow us to unlock exciting new applications for our customers. One day we’ll see multiple robots in the field working together on different tasks, from weed removal to nutrient-analysis to pesticide application, creating a co-bot (human and robots working together) workforce to achieve results that simply aren’t possible without harnessing technology. It’s truly a gamechanger and the future of agritech.”
Tom Bennett, CTO at Freshwave, said: “We’re pleased to bring our 5G private network expertise to this project with the National Robotarium. The work the team is doing there is unbelievably cutting-edge and we’re excited to be involved in it.”
Ian Sharp, Head of Business Development at The Scotland 5G Centre, Scotland’s national centre with wide expertise on private 5G network adoption and advanced wireless connectivity, attended a demonstration of Spot on the portable 5G private network at the National Robotarium. Ian said: “The demonstration of this robot, powered by Freshwave’s portable 5G private network, showcases the transformative potential of 5G to revolutionise agritech. It’s exciting to see how 5G can address the unique challenges of rural and remote areas, making sustainable and efficient farming more achievable.”
