Start moving from Hokkaido,
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Agricultural
Robots
Unmanned Agricultural
Robots can perform
agricultural labor.
While people sleep, land
plow and crop harvest can
be carried out.
This
Japanese Agriculture, the Young People's
serio
Average Age of Farmers
Choice.
59.1
Agriculture supports Japan's food, and protects the land and the environment. Although
state
65.8
63.2
61.1
is a
agric
us
for
ultur
e!
it's an important industry, the number of farmers keeps decreasing; there's an aging
problem with farmers having an average age of 66 years old. Agriculture is a heavy
4.82 M
labor, susceptible to weather factors, and learning agricultural technology takes a long
4.14 M
3.89 M
3.35 M
time. Affected by this impression, leadership shortage is a serious issue. To solve this
problem, "Agricultural Robots" is one of the key technologies.
1990
1995
2000
2005
2.60 M
2010
Number of Farmers Nationwide
Hokkaido was First!
Ministry of Agriculture statistics (2010 survey)
Position measurement
C o m p u t e r
sensor (GPS)
Successful Operation of an
Unmanned Tractor
In modern agriculture, tractors and other agricultural machinery are essential.
The Laboratory of Vehicle Robotics (VeBots) of Hokkaido University School of
Agriculture has succeeded conducting researches on unmanned tractors and
Attitude measurement
uipped
q
e
r
o
t
A trac
ravels
t
s
r
o
s
n
with se
!
rmland
a
f
e
h
t
in
sensor (IMU)
developing new technologies. Sensors are installed on a tractor, and its
position is measured by satellite (GPS). A computer commands its
movement, replacing manual operation and thus giving birth to robot tractors.
lizing
i
t
er
p
Operations are Possible
weeding
but also can be programmed to complete all kinds of
so
w
market research and other important work.
in g
farming tasks. By entrusting the field labor to the Robot
Tractor, farmers can focus into product development,
ha
r
sting
ve
A Robot Tractor not only moves in the fields accurately,
ide spr
c
i
t
a
es
g
yin
for 1 year, these Farming
wing
o
l
p
f
By Supporting Farmers
Research Faculty of Agriculture
Laboratory of Vehicle Robotics
Start moving from Hokkaido,
Agricultural
Robots
Power up! Using multiple
Tractors for
"Labor Cooperation"
Satellite Positioning and Wireless
One farmer operating a single Robot Tractor is not really efficient.
Communications are the Basis of
Therefore, "VeBots" laboratory has developed a management system for
simultaneous operation of multiple Robot Tractors by using a wireless
Agricultural Robots
communication system. This "labor cooperation" is close to practical use.
positioning technologies are vital for agricultural robots . Moreover, in order to monitor the
productivity
unmanned
manned
The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System "Michibiki" and other high-precision GPS satellite
linked
is
t
n
e
m
e
v
o
r
imp
(plowing)
on
to cost reducti
( s o wing)
work of multiple robots from a remote control room, geospatial information and wireless
information and communication technologies are very important.
R o b o t C o n tr o l R o o m
E x a m p l e o f L a b o r Co o p e r a tio n
Qu a si - Ze n i th
Sa te l l i te Syste m
"M i ch i b i ki "
R e m o te Se n si n g
( a g r i cu l tu r a l ve h i cl e s tr a ve l i n g )
Remote Sensing
(ground sensor)
Smaller Tractors are
Environmentally Friendly
Tractor size can improve operational efficiency, but it affects the crop growth due to
L a b o r R e co r d
( Ag r i cu l tu r a l m a ch i n e r y a u to m a ti c r e co r d )
soil compaction. By using multiple small robot tractors, the "labor cooperation"
scheme is a good prospect. Also, by sending information from a computer, it's
possible to adjust the amount of fertilizer, harvest only mature crops, and perform
other tasks concerning the environment; which is one of the goals of precision
agriculture.
Futuristic robot
concept for
ultra-precision
farming work
Ready, S
et, Go!
But it's n
ot a
race, it's
cooperati
1 person can manage multiple
tractors thanks to agricultural
robotics .
By using Labor Cooperation,
efficiency improves significantly.
It has shown a good performance
in wide agricultural lands.
Research Faculty of Agriculture
Laboratory of Vehicle Robotics
on.
Start moving from Hokkaido,
"Big Data" to Support Farmers now and in
the Future
The reason behind the good flavor of vegetables and rice is an adequate agricultural
environment, supported by the joint efforts of farmers and people related to agriculture .
Accumulation of Big Data takes place by gathering the know-how from every point of view
concerning the "Hokkaido Agriculture", cultivated both naturally and by humans.
By using the appropriate data it's possible to support daily farm labor, and help Japanese
Agriculture by carrying out a variety of researches about Agricultural Information.
Geographic
information
(Weather, cultivation
environment, etc.)
Experienced
Farmers
Cultivation
Records
Agricultural
Robots
More and
more
delicious
food!
Tractor
Labor
information
But, can
(Soil, growth state, etc.)
Data Analysis ・Know-How abstraction
really
it
become
Smart
Accumulation of Big Data
Useful for Japanese
Agriculture
Agricultur
e?
Smart Agriculture aims to
n
o
i
t
a
m
r
Info
n
o
i
t
c
e
l
l
co
help Japanese Agriculture
by combining the know-how
Data
utili
zati
on
of experienced farmers
with agricultural robots.
Achieve Precision
Agriculture with Artificial
Satellites + UAV
With the gradual expansion of farming lands and paddy
fields, soil and moisture states change, showing a
discrepancy for the growth of crops. Thus, the concept of
Precision Agriculture has got the world's attention.
Artificial Satellites and UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles)
are combined to obtain precise large-scale agricultural
information, and to adapt the crop growth to the
environment. Fertilizers and pesticides are not wasted,
Future Trends of Japanese
Agriculture: towards
Unmanned
"Smart Agriculture"
Labor
Tractor
Cooperation
Use of Big
Data in
Agricultural
Labor
creating a link to safe agriculture.
A
pe hel
ic
re
rf
op
o
m
rm
ot
te
s
e
r
th
se
ns e
in
g
Since 80 percent of the agricultural labor accounts for tractor
operations, the Laboratory of Vehicle Robotics "VeBots" focuses
in the research of unmanned Robot Tractors, but it's also
engaged in agricultural remote sensing and information
technologies. The laboratory aims to achieve "Smart Agriculture"
as the goal for the future of Japanese Agriculture, through
collaborative efforts of farmers and related personnel. Through
S m a r t
A g r i c u l t u r e
this research, we are hoping to attract attention towards
agriculture, and involve young people in agricultural work.
Research Faculty of Agriculture
Laboratory of Vehicle Robotics
C o l o r s i n d i c a te th e c r o p s
g r o w th s ta te