MARS Mission in Agricultural Engineering

Manned travel to the planet Mars is still a long way off, the use of robot technology in farming, however, is already within close reach. The kick-off event for the ECHORD++ MARS project at the Ulm University of Applied Sciences was held on the 20th of April.

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Behind the acronym MARS (Mobile Agricultural Robot Swarms) is a one-and-a-half year, comprehensive research project, which integrates industry experience and academic research. The goal of the Fendt engineers and the researchers at the Ulm University of Applied Sciences (HSU) is to transfer robotic technology to farming applications.
“Robotics has now reached a degree of maturity where the next step must be to put them to use for concrete applications,” says Prof. Dr. Christian Schlegel, Head of the Service Robotics research group at the HSU, explaining the objective of MARS. “The Echord++ format, which is funded by the European Union, is ideally suited for this kind of cooperation, since it aims to unite practical expertise and science.”

In general, global farming today demands differentiated technology, designed for the needs of the region. “Advanced technology development at AGCO/Fendt is always in search of new technical possibilities,” says Simon Pinter, engineer in Research & Advanced Engineering at Fendt.

“A close look at the market uncovers various trends, which now must be shaped. Besides the demand for more powerful high-horsepower tractors, this also includes the development of robot technology,” he adds.

Fendt is in charge of the development and manufacturing of the robots, the Service Robotics group at the HSU concentrates on researching cloud-based algorithms for path planning and optimisation. The consolidation of the expertise of both partners is vital for the feasibility of this project. “The proximity of our Research and Development in Marktoberdorf to the Ulm University of Applied Sciences also promotes close collaboration. Intensive, uncomplicated exchange of information is an ideal foundation for the project,” says Prof. Dr. Christian Schlegel.
“Our goal is to create a robust system that farmers and contractors will really be able to use,” says Thiemo Buchner, Project Manager in Research & Advanced Engineering at Fendt, summing up the project.