The introduction of a new autonomous orchard spray unit in Western Australia is under study for its potential to benefit growers across the country.
As part of the five-year Narrow Orchard Systems for Future Climates Hort Innovation Frontiers project, various states, universities and industry partners have come together to create labour efficiencies, reduce wastage and enhance safety.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is assessing the new autonomous technology for its ability to build climate resilience and farming efficiencies. Research findings will support the national project, which will extend to apple, pear, cherry, apricot, plum and nectarine orchards across Australia.
“Modern production systems, like multi-leader 2D narrow row orchards, alongside new technologies and more robust crop varieties will help growers adapt to increasingly warmer climatic conditions,” said DPIRD research scientist Asad Ullah.
“Robotic equipment, like the autonomous spray unit, can help orchard management by reducing labour costs, improving work health and safety, refining treatments and minimising wastage.”
While the autonomous sprayer will be used on trees specific to the project, the technology has broader potential – it can be converted into a mower or used to tow other conventional farm machinery. Integrating light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology or cameras could allow it to function as monitoring equipment.
“The diesel autonomous spray unit is guided by digital GPS maps, which create a travel path for the machine to run from the shed to the orchard and then up and down the orchard rows without the need for a driver or even a remote control,” said.
“Fungicide and pesticide precision dosage control from the 1000 litre tank can be tailored to orchard requirements, preventing spray drift and overuse.
“Importantly, the machine is only 1.73 metres wide so it can fit between the 2.5 metre row spacings, aiding the adoption of narrow orchard systems.”
DPIRD’s Manjimup Horticulture Research Institute will adopt the new autonomous sprayer over the next five years. The first two years will focus on orchard establishment, with quality and climate resilience to be evaluated from the third year onward.
