FarmBot: an Open Source Automated Farming Machine

Posted by Soulskill on Tuesday August 19, 2014 @06:02AM from the rise-of-the-technofarmer dept.

New submitter ErnieKey writes: Farming has been stuck in a bit of a rut, when compared to other industries. Businesses across the globe have been innovating for decades, while farming has been using techniques that have been handed down from centuries ago. The FarmBot Foundation is creating a machine, similar to that of a CNC mill and/or 3D printer, which is capable of being run by sophisticated software and equipped with any tools you can imagine, including seed injectors, plows, burners, robotic arms (for harvesting), cutters, shredders, tillers, discers, watering nozzles, sensors and more. The goal? To increase food production by automating as much of it as possible.

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GPS and laser guidance systems for centuries? by raymorris · 2014-08-19 06:10 · Score: 5, Informative

> Farming has been stuck in a bit of a rut, ... farming has been using techniques that have been handed down from centuries ago.
Apparently this author's understanding of agriculture is based on cartoons. Self-driving cars are a brand new thing; largely self-driving agricultural equipment is not so new. Have a look at the cockpit of a modern John Deere in working trim. Better yet, come on down to Tecas A&M (agriculture and mechanical) and we'll show you some things. It's no coincidence that A&M is a leader in drone research too.