An analysis of the use of a computerised robotic weeder in small scale horticultural operations

Descriptions

This project is funded by the EU through the European Innovation Partnership programme, the role of which is ‘to pool expertise and resources by bringing groups of people from different practical and scientific backgrounds together to tackle specific challenges, and trial new approaches which will be of value to others in the agricultural or forestry industry.’The project seeks to analyse the impact of a computerised robotic inter-row weeder in small scale, organically managed, horticultural systems. These weeders are commonplace in larger operations but their effectiveness (viability) in small scale situations has not been analysed.By trialling a computerised robotic inter-row weeder we seek to determine the savings in terms of labour (cost) and time that can be made when compared with the current methods of high labour requirement at specific times of the year.Full details can be found on the attachment