Dutch farmers to put field robots to the test
The Dutch Ministry of Agriculture is launching the ‘Robot Seeks Farmer’ initiative to accelerate the adoption of field robots. More than 130 farmers have signed up to test 7 different robots in real-world farming conditions, in collaboration with Wageningen University.
The Dutch National Fieldlab for Precision Farming (NPPL) project helps farmers and growers with the application of new technologies like precision farming and robots. At the end of 2024, NPPL issued a call for farmers to apply for the ‘Robot Seeks Farmer’ initiative. The response was overwhelming: 131 farmers from all provinces signed up as potential participants to test new agricultural robots.
This initiative, supported by Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and the government, aims to accelerate the adoption of robotics in open-field crop farming in the Netherlands. The key questions: where does on-farm robotics stand today, and where should we be in 10 years with 10,000 arable farmers?
The rationale behind field robots is that they could address 5 major challenges faced by open-field farmers: soil compaction, labour shortages, the phase-out of chemical crop protection, emissions reduction, and yield optimisation. NPPL-R will evaluate how field robots that are essentially market-ready can be integrated into Dutch arable farming practices
‘A robot doesn’t need to go to the dentist. It doesn’t need sleep. And it has no social obligations’
Arable farmer Marijn Vermuë
3 types of participants
There are 3 categories of participants in NPPL-R. First, farmers who will receive a robot on their farm for an extended period (sometimes the entire 2025 season) and conduct intensive tests under WUR specialists’ guidance. Second, the so-called demo farmers, who will take part in short-term trials with robots or other precision farming technologies. Lastly, there are more passive participants—farmers invited to observe robots in action at other farms, potentially in study group settings. In its eighth year, NPPL continues to provide as many farmers as possible the opportunity to engage with emerging technologies.
First farmers matched with robots
The annual NPPL Day coincided with the launch of the first farmer-robot pairings. After extensive discussions and evaluations, the AgXeed robot will operate year-round at Marijn Vermuë’s farm in Werkendam, with guidance from WUR’s Koen van Boheemen. The research will focus on the robot’s field performance, preparatory workload, soil compaction compared to conventional tractors, labour savings, and economic feasibility.
NPPL participant Stef Ruiter will test the iQuus system throughout the year. This retrofit kit enables tractors to operate autonomously under the supervision of WUR experts Frank Hollewand and Koen van Boheemen. Since the first step in automation is making existing machinery smarter, around 15 demo farmers will also test iQuus for several weeks. The Ekobot, Robotti, and Andela Electro Weeder are also in high demand. During the event, farmers inquired about testing the Trabotyx robot, which NPPL is now evaluating. Keep an eye on the NPPL website for updates on additional robot participants and cropping techniques.
Horticulture, drones, and regenerative agriculture
New in 2025, NPPL will actively monitor robotic innovations in horticulture and greenhouse farming. Examples include harvest robots for tomato and asparagus production. Drone seeding applications are also under investigation, with trials planned for cover crops in maize, green manure in winter wheat, and living mulch in tulips. Additionally, crimp rollers and strip seeding are being explored as part of regenerative agriculture. In short, a diverse array of innovations shaping the future of farming.
What is being tested?
Each robot and research field comes with its own set of research questions. For the AgBot, the focus is on capacity, implement use, precision, data exchange, user interface, safety, energy consumption and labor efficiency, as well as the impact on soil compaction and biodiversity. What can be achieved with this autonomous robot, and what do farmers expect from it? Possible applications include soil cultivation, ridging, field transport with a trailer, haulm topping, and planting/seeding.
The iQuus was already included in last year’s trials. This year, it features a reverse driving mode, a highly requested improvement based on feedback from the previous NPPL demo tour. The research will again explore the business case for driverless operations. How does this autonomous retrofit for standard tractors perform when paired with smart autonomous implements that also help control the tractor? How well can autonomous tractors and intelligent implements collaborate to enhance reliability, precision, and efficiency? Does the work provide enough input for autonomous decision-making, and how user-friendly is the coupling between implement and autonomous tractor? How safe is the system? Logical implement choices include soil cultivation and mowing equipment from brands such as Lemken, Amazone, and Krone.
Ekobot and weeder
The Ekobot WEAI is an AI-powered precision weeding robot designed for row crops such as onions, sugar beets, and carrots. NPPL-R’s research questions for the Ekobot include: To what extent can it reduce manual labor, replace herbicides, and collect field and crop data? Evaluations will focus on work capacity and quality, labor savings, ease of use, and its contribution to reducing chemical inputs. A key question is also how the Ekobot compares to other weeding robots.
The Andela Electro Weeder is not a robot but a tractor-mounted electric weed control system. This implement electrocutes weeds in the strips between crop rows. Research will assess its capacity and effectiveness in weed control and how this technology can be integrated into a broader weed management strategy. Safety and energy consumption will also be examined. The machine is suitable for row crops, including potatoes. The Electro Weeder is a mounted implement, requiring a minimum tractor power of 65 hp and a maximum of 240 hp, depending on working width, soil structure, moisture levels, and crop biomass.
Agrointelli Robotti and AutoAgri
The Agrointelli Robotti LR is an autonomous implement carrier capable of independently performing various agricultural tasks. Due to its lightweight design and autonomous navigation, this robot is highly suitable for crop monitoring using camera technology, as well as for cultivation operations such as seedbed preparation, hoeing, fertilisation, and crop protection. The Robotti enables these tasks by allowing standard implements to be attached via a 3-point hitch.
The AutoAgri, another autonomous implement carrier, features a CAT 2 3-point hitch, PTO, and hydraulic system, making it compatible with both traditional tractor equipment and new machinery designed to leverage autonomous capabilities. Its plug-in hybrid drivetrain allows for fully electric, zero-emission farming.
As with other implement carriers, the central question is how the Norwegian AutoAgri can be deployed to maximize efficiency, profitability, and labor reduction on farms. Evaluations will focus on usability and safety, energy consumption, and reduction of chemical inputs. How reliably and effectively does the robot operate in different crops and soil conditions? Is its limited ground clearance a disadvantage? The AutoAgri will undergo test runs at the De Marke experimental farm in Hengelo (Gld.).
Nature Robot
Finally, there is the Nature Robot. The Field Robot Lero.03/mini portal implement carrier for fixed tramlines is being evaluated for its suitability in strip cropping. Researchers will assess its effectiveness as a robotic implement carrier for precision cultivation and weed control, aiming to improve biodiversity and soil health. Key factors under evaluation include operational capacity, compatibility with existing implements, impact on biodiversity and soil health, labour savings, and user interface. A broader question is how well autonomous systems in general perform in diverse cropping environments like strip cropping.
Medeauteur: Leo Tholhuijsen
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