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Prospr, an autonomous, multi-purpose hybrid vehicle
New Zealand-based company Robotics Plus, a specialist in agricultural automation, has announced an agreement for it to be acquired by Yamaha Motor to form Yamaha Agriculture.
The new company will be focused on delivering autonomous equipment and AI-powered digital solutions that help growers in the specialty crop market become more sustainable, profitable and resilient.
Robotics Plus currently develops automation solutions for agriculture, calling on expertise in robotics, automation, sensing, and data analytics, leading to a proven record of delivering innovative technologies to global markets. Its latest development, Prospr, is a robust, autonomous, multi-purpose hybrid vehicle designed to perform a range of orchard and vineyard tasks. Built to tackle labour shortages and enhance efficiency, precision, sustainability, and safety, the vehicle is capable of multiple activities, including spraying and weed control, with complementary attachments, such as mowing, currently in development.
Yamaha Motor has supported Robotics Plus since 2017, with strategic investment to drive development of agricultural automation technologies and to expand its presence in the ag-tech sector. Following the acquisition, the company will continue to operate its core business from its headquarters in Tauranga, retaining high value skilled jobs and IP development in New Zealand, delivered by a team of 130 employees, while benefiting from the support of Yamaha Agriculture globally. Yamaha Agriculture will combine Robotics Plus’ robotic solution Prospr with advanced data analytics to support producers of wine grapes, apples, and other specialty crops across North America, Australia, and
New Zealand.
The company Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Steve Saunders says Robotics Plus was founded on a vision to solve the agricultural industry’s biggest challenges around labour, productivity and sustainability. “Over the years, we have formed a strong partnership with Yamaha to empower large-scale growers, so innovations like Prospr, at the heart of Yamaha Agriculture’s global strategy, will enable a data-driven approach to precision agriculture."
Nolan Paul, Group CEO, Yamaha Agriculture, Inc. says Yamaha Agriculture recognises that the challenges facing specialty crop growers require solutions that will take time to develop. “The capabilities of Robotics Plus in robotics and automation will be an important building block in addressing these challenges, along with AI-powered data analytics. We are committed to an approach that prioritizes creating real value for growers while maintaining the standards of quality and reliability for which Yamaha Motors is known.”
yamaha-agriculture.com
Massey Ferguson has announced a strategic supply partnership with International Tractors Limited (ITL), a manufacturer of low-horsepower and compact tractors, with recognised brands such as Sonalika and Sollis, to expand its portfolio with a new tractor range.
With the biannual Italian EIMA machinery Expo less than a month away, Case IH has taken out a Technical Evolution award for the Advanced Vehicle Suspension system available on its Optum 360–440 series tractors.
The Advanced Vehicle Suspension system, available on Optum 360, 390, and 440 models, responds to changing conditions, automatically adjusting how the suspension reacts to absorbs shocks and controlling vehicle movement.
In operation, sensors monitor the vibrations transmitted from the tractor chassis to the operator cabin, allowing the system to adjust suspension damping in real time. The control system incorporates key priorities, such as comfort at lower speeds and stability as speed increases, while also reacting to factors such as lower tyre pressures, where the tyres absorb more of the initial shock.
Case IH said as suspension requirements change throughout the working day, as tractors move between the paddock and road transport, the system manages suspension response in the background as tasks, speeds and conditions change, leaving the operator without the need to make manual adjustments.
Richard Hollins, Optum series tractors global product manager, said: “Pioneering technology must earn its place in the working day. Farmers and contractors will judge an investment by what it delivers, including manageable ownership costs, dependable up-time and the versatility to tackle different jobs. With AVS, we are putting intelligent control to work for comfort and stability, without giving the operator another setting to manage.”
Organised by FederUnacoma, the Italian Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers Federation, the contest has been part of EIMA since 1986, with the Technical Evolution distinction awarded to products that introduce original improvements to solutions already manufactured or patented.
www.caseih.com
Becoming the norm in the automobile industry, but much less so in agriculture, Dutch self-propelled sprayer manufacturer Agrifac has developed a diesel-electric version of its Vanguard 55.
Building on the success of the existing Massey Ferguson 7S series, ahead of the upcoming EIMA Show, the manufacturer has announced the arrival of its new MF 7S MARK 2 range, offering six choices from 170 to 245hp, positioned between the current MF 7S and the MF 8S Xtra series.
French manufacturer Pichon has expanded its SV slurry tanker range with the launch of two new models.
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