5G and autonomous robots reduce resource usage by 50%
The Germain LANDNETZ collaborative project has successfully concluded its five-year research into communication and cloud networks for agriculture. The project focused on integrating stable 5G networks, for example, with autonomous robots.
5G-Enabled Autonomous Robots
Over the past five years, researchers from TU Dresden, the Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems IVI, and the Saxon State Ministry for the Environment, Agriculture, and Geology (LfULG) have developed and tested 5G technology in a model region in Saxony. The stable 5G wireless connections enabled direct networking of machines, robots, and sensors, independent of public mobile networks.
Precision farming and autonomous operations
5G technology supports precision farming by allowing real-time data transmission and machine control. For instance, drones equipped with multispectral cameras capture crop images, which are processed on local servers via 5G. This data guides fertilizer spreaders integrated into the network, ensuring precise application based on real-time needs.
Smaller autonomous machines, equipped with sensors and artificial intelligence, can perform complex operations such as pesticide application and simple repetitive tasks, enhancing both sustainability and economic efficiency. The electric modular robot elWObot II, designed for horticulture, fruit growing, and viticulture, exemplifies this innovation. It can perform tasks like mowing, plant protection, and contour cutting, while continuously communicating with the local server for data evaluation.
Enhancing safety through networked mobility
The LANDNETZ project also addressed road safety in rural areas through the ON/OFF Road Safety sub-project. Researchers developed communication infrastructures and information systems for real-time warning signal transmission between vehicles. This vehicle-to-x communication can significantly improve road safety by enabling spontaneous information exchange between agricultural machinery, vehicles, and traffic infrastructure.
Project outcomes and future directions
“Ecologically and economically sustainable agriculture requires targeted farming appropriate to the location. 5G supports this type of precision farming,” explained Prof. Thomas Herlitzius, speaker of the collaborative project. Prof. Matthias Klingner, Director of Fraunhofer IVI, added that 5G networking meets the increasing safety requirements for highly automated agricultural equipment.
Heinz Bernd Bettig, President of LfULG, emphasized that the project focused on users’ needs and investigated pioneering technologies to support agriculture’s growing challenges. The latest developments were presented at the regional conference “Digital Applications for Agricultural Practice” on Thursday.
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