MARV-bot: The all-new high precision field trials robot

We are now also developing an automated feeding robot for a range of animals, especially livestock and pigs. The robot will be automatically loaded from a hopper and automatically feed the animals at regular intervals helping keep feed fresh. With only a 2x2m footprint and capable of carrying 2 tonnes the robot will be powerful and manoeuvrable enough to navigate any layout of sheds or pens with an easily modifiable route. The robot will recharge itself at the hopper, which can itself be powered by mains or via a custom solar-panel package (allowing the system to be carbon-neutral). There are plans to equip the robot with a methane monitor to estimate the methane production of the animals at the point of release (which can be used to monitor the effectiveness of any additives) and an animal monitoring system to help ‘keep an eye on’ animal welfare.

The benefits of the robot would include:

• Reduced Labour – allowing this time to be spent performing other jobs, for example monitoring the cattle
• More Regular Feeding – feeding multiple times per day allows the animals to eat little and often, promoting better growth.
• Lower emissions – not having to use the tractor as often.

Our company has already developed a robot for a different area of agri-tech which is capable of driving between the rows in a sugar beet field, so needs to adapt that technology to this new product. We run a 150-cow livestock farm, so understand the environment a product like this will have to navigate.

To develop this product, the company is applying for an Innovate UK grant as part of the DEFRA farming futures: robotics and automation strand. The project is expected to cost around £500k, of which 70% would be provided by Innovate UK if the grant application is successful.

What can you do for us:

• If this is a system you would be interested in for your farm, please could you write a brief expression of interest, this will help when applying for the grant.
• If you would like to go further and wish for your farm to be used as a test site for the robot, it may be possible to include your farm as a collaborator on the project, allowing you to claim back up to 70% of your costs associated with this work.
• If you would like to invest in this project, we are looking for shareholder partners to help fund the 30% (£150k) of the project not provided by Innovate UK.

If any of the above apply or you would like to find out more, please get in touch at lindsey@roboticsystemsltd.com