Onocoy unveils cost-effective RTK service for precision positioning
Onocoy has unveiled Onocoy RTK, a real-time kinematic service designed for ultra-precise positioning across diverse industries. French farmer Rémi Gaget highlights how Onocoy has significantly enhanced his field operations, allowing him to optimise his farming practices.
RTK technology offers significant benefits for agricultural applications, such as field robots and autosteering systems. But Onocoy notes that the RTK correction services ecosystem still faces challenges that have slowed widespread adoption.
Co-founder Jean-Philippe Doyen points out that while RTK coverage is robust in North America, Europe, and Australia, other regions lag behind. Additionally, the cost of RTK licenses remains prohibitive in some areas. For example, in Switzerland, the annual license fee is 1,200 Swiss francs (approximately $1,351 USD), which is too high for many in the agricultural sector.
Our idea is to create a supply side, and to get 100,000 base stations
Onocoy RTK aims to address these issues with a global network of reference stations that is open and accessible to both new and established players in the market, making high-precision positioning more attainable worldwide.
“With Onocoy, farmers can install their own base station. Farmers are very handy and can have it up and running in a few minutes”, Doyen says. “Our idea is to create a supply side, and to get 100,000 base stations. And, if farmers would share this signal with our community, we would also pay for it. We think there are already plenty of reference stations in operation worldwide, but these base stations are not used most of the time. Just like some cars, they are just parked somewhere.”
Integration with existing systems
Engineer and farmer Rémi Gaget from Loiret in France already uses Onocoy. “I’ve always been keen to integrate the latest technologies into my farming operations”, he explains . ”Managing a mid to large-size farm in Loiret, just a few kilometres south of Paris, where I grow cereals, beets and rapeseed, presents its own set of challenges. Precision, efficiency, and sustainability are critical for me, especially in today’s rapidly changing agricultural environment.”
Gaget first heard about Onocoy in 2023, and was intrigued by its promise of improving operational efficiency. “After using it across my farm, I can say that it fits my expectations. One of the key benefits of Onocoy has been its seamless integration with my existing systems.”
“I utilise a variety of equipment, including tractors, sprayers, and even my own autonomous robot, the DART, all of which rely on GNSS RTK technology. In addition of those equipment I will buy next year a DJI T25 to increase the efficiency of the farm in order to seed cover crop before harvest and add another tool to optimize the spreading of biocontrol solutions in vegetation.”
One of the key benefits of Onocoy has been its seamless integration with my existing systems
Gaget says that Onocoy’s compatibility with these systems has allowed him to optimise field operations with greater precision and availability. “The real-time data from Onocoy, combined with GNSS RTK, ensures that every pass of our tractors, sprayers, and DART robots is as accurate as possible, reducing overlap and minimizing input waste.”
Earning rewards
Another significant advantage of Onocoy is its community-based decentralised RTK correction network, Gaget underlines. “You can add your own base station to the Onocoy network, which not only enhances the coverage in your area but also allows you to earn rewards by sharing your RTK correction signal with other applications.”
“This decentralized approach is both practical and beneficial for farmers like us, and it helps create a more robust network across the region. Furthermore, Onocoy’s pricing is highly competitive, with their first product offering at US $20 plus $0.15 per hour of usage.“
The platform’s ability to analyse and present data in a user-friendly manner has also been a game-changer, Gaget says. “The RTK technology is not new, but Onocoy’s community based approach will allow many more people to get access to the technology. For me, Onocoy is not just a tool; it’s an integral part of my farming strategy.”
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