IBEX robot to revolutionise UK farming
A Leicester county inventor has designed a robot that could revolutionise UK farming.
The IBEX is able to carry out the important job of driving itself around steep grassland dairy and sheep farms, identifying and destroying weeds.
Inventor Ed Gummow said farmers currently spend hours clearing their fields to make them ready for animal grazing.
As well as saving time and money, the robots also cut the environmental impact of bulk herbicide spraying.
He said they are now marketing the machines, which cost around £10,000 (~€11,000) each, compared to more than £200,000 for similar military grade robots.
The IBEX has been created with £250,000 of support from government trade body Innovate UK, which is the UK point of contact for Horizon 2020.
Gummow said the same robotic platform has several other potential applications – such as being hooked up with ground penetrating radar for use in archaeology and mine detection, bomb disposal, and searching inside collapsed buildings or fighting fires.
The robot has cameras attached for automatic navigation and weed identification, which allow users to check on their progress or drive them remotely.
“IBEX is the first autonomous robot designed to tackle extreme agricultural environments,” Gummow said, “performing superbly on its initial trials in and around the Peak District. One was even used to rescue a stuck 4×4.”
Innovate UK chief executive Ruth McKernan said the device summed up the very best of UK engineering.
McKernan said: “Innovate 2016 will be an excellent opportunity for Digital Concepts Engineering to showcase their cutting edge innovation to a national and international audience.
“I congratulate them on their success in winning a place and look forward to their involvement in our annual flagship show of innovation excellence across the UK.”
