World's first deployment of self-driving greenhouse tow-tractors

Added on 12 January 2021

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World's first deployment of self-driving greenhouse tow-tractors

Cyberworks Robotics announces the initial sale of 18 autonomous (self-driving) tow-tractors to Fernlea greenhouse. This represents the first deployment of autonomous tractors in an industrial greenhouse anywhere in the world. The order represents the first batch of up to 90 autonomous tractors expected to be delivered to Fernlea which is one of North America's largest greenhouses with facilities in both the US and Canada. The tractors are used to tow trailers of produce from growing areas to processing areas. The technology will allow greenhouses to increase efficiency, eliminate transport bottlenecks, reduce operating costs, and alleviate labour shortages.

Greenhouse production output levels continue to increase, requiring adjustments to workforce productivity. The agricultural sector already faces chronic labour shortages and has difficulty attracting and retaining workers in some regions. The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the industry's vulnerabilities to labour shocks, which had an impact on the supply chain. The financial impact of the labour shortages in this industry include lost sales due to planting and harvesting delays and losses, and delayed expansion plans. The innovative solutions provided by Cyberworks Robotics are lowering the cost and improving the productivity of greenhouse operations while allowing existing labour resources to be used in the most effective way possible.

Cyberworks is one of the leading developers of cutting edge Autonomous Self-Driving Technology for a wide range of third-party equipment including: wheelchairs, floor cleaners, tractors, and other powered devices. The founding team members of Cyberworks have been pioneers in the field of self-driving technology since its inception and published some of the earliest peer-reviewed academic papers in international scientific journals. Cyberworks partners with the world's leading universities and companies including Intel and AWS. The solutions developed by Cyberworks are helping to increase workplace safety, satisfaction, and efficiency, while also decreasing workplace attrition, and facilitating 24/7 workforce persistence at no additional cost to society.

Source and Photo Courtesy of Ag News