Stephen Cadogan: How artificial intelligence is even challenging the sheepdog

The E-doggy was one of the best new products at the recent SPACE agricultural show in Rennes, France.

The first step has been taken already, in the form of an AI-guided robot dog which brings in the poultry at nightfall on free-range farms.

Called the E-doggy, it was one of the best new products at the recent SPACE agricultural show in Rennes, France.

Free-range farmers have to bring the animals into the buildings at dusk to protect them from predators and the weather. It's a tedious daily task of up to an hour or more.

After a learning phase, the robot dog can direct the poultry to their sheds and close the hatches. Equipped with batteries that last for over three hours, the robot follows a predefined path around the hutches, encouraging the chickens to return, without frightening them.

The robot moves easily among trees and obstacles in the pasture, detecting the poultry. It returns to a dedicated charging station and notifies the farmer of task completion or alerts them in case of any issues. It also deters wild predators.

Eventually, some 435 poultry farmers could benefit from having this robot on their farms. They are members of Maïsadour, the agricultural co-op in the south-west of France, which developed the E-doggy, in collaboration with Evotech, an IT and robotics start-up.

The SPACE jury of around 60 experts that judged the new products proposed were impressed, giving the E-doggy their three-star special mention.

They gave the two-star award for the Loadix made by ManuRob.

It is also described as a 100% electric and autonomous robot, but it is basically a loader that automates bulk material handling.

It is primarily designed to repeatedly move bulk organic material between two points, and is particularly well-suited for the thousands of biogas plants across the EU, for partially or fully handling material inputs into biogas incorporators.

This reduces workload, particularly for repetitive tasks. The Loadix can also be used for farmyard applications such as animal feeding and sweeping.

Loadix

It navigates with 2cm accuracy, using Lidar, INS, RTK, odometry, and ultrasonic sensors, ensuring safe movement indoors and outdoors, around machinery and personnel.

Users assign tasks through an app. The Loadix manages its own energy, recharging itself autonomously. Depending on the material to be handled, it can switch tools without human intervention, using Speedlink technology.

There was a one-star InnovSpace award for the Claas Axos 3 Series tractors.

In these compact tractors designed for mixed crop-livestock farms, the design emphasis was on the cab accessibility, safety, and comfort for farmers climbing in and out more than 20 times a day.

Therefore, the 180-degree forward-opening doors can remain open without exceeding the tractor's width.

Non-slip steps, a low flat floor, and a foot-adjustable steering column also make access easier.

With an overall height starting at 2.5 metres, the tractors easily fit into low-clearance structures.

The cab features five openings for effective natural ventilation. Intuitive controls, a low hood for clear forward visibility, and practical features like Smart Stop and Park Lock are also featured. Smart Stop enables the tractor brake to be applied without using the clutch.

The Electronic Park Lock automatically engages the parking brake when the driver leaves the seat.