Cropscout is a small robot platform for research into precision farming and testing applications such as weed and disease detection. The robot navigates autonomically on the basis of different sensors and its intelligence and robust navigation software enable the robot to deal with uncertain field conditions. Cropscout won first prize on the international Field Robot Event 2004.

In agriculture labour costs present a significant part of the operational production costs. Reduction or replacement of human activities enable cost savings for which vehicles that can autonomously navigate through the crop offer interesting perspectives.

Cropscout navigates with infrared and ultrasound sensors and reverses by means of a gyroscope. A camera looks into the crop to anticipate bent rows and the end of a row. A special algorithm makes the robot run faster or slower, depending on the extent of certainty about the route. This makes the robot fast and capable of timely stopping at the end of the row.

Plant Research International has experience in the field of autonomous vehicles. Various models for agricultural applications have been developed and are also being brought into production by market parties. Robotics for agricultural applications (such as greenhouse agriculture and precision farming) is one of the spearheads of Plant Research International.

Examples of other successful products are a harvest robot for cucumbers, the climbing robot for tomato, and the ‘leaf breaker’.