Development Status of Agricultural Transport Robots

Introducing transport robots currently under development or commercially available for use in agricultural environments.

1. Daedong Launches 'RT100' Agricultural Transport Robot, Pioneering the Future of Farming Automation [1]

 

    Daedong, a leading company in future agriculture, has officially launched its agricultural transport robot 'RT100', marking its entry into the agricultural robot market. The 'RT100' is designed to address challenges in agricultural settings, particularly focusing on orchards, and offers two models: wired following and autonomous driving. Features include user-friendly operation, a 360-degree rotation capability for maneuvering in narrow paths, and an electric system that ensures quiet, vibration-free, and emission-free operation. 

    The robot can carry up to 300 kg and is equipped with lift and dump functions. Daedong plans to release the wired following model in February, followed by the autonomous driving model in April. The company aims to establish a strong presence in the agricultural robot market by targeting domestic orchard farms and plans to expand its lineup to include modules for tasks such as spraying, harvesting, weeding, and spreading. Additionally, Daedong intends to enhance AI agricultural technologies and explore industrial markets like factories, construction sites, and logistics warehouses, with a goal of distributing 10,000 transport robots by 2029. 

Fig.1 Transport robot developed by Daedong [1]

2. Kisui Tech: Pioneering AI-Powered Agricultural Transport Robots [2]

    Kisui Tech, a Japanese company, specializes in developing AI-powered agricultural robots to enhance efficiency and address labor shortages in farming. Their flagship product, 'Adam,' is an off-road autonomous robot designed to assist with various agricultural tasks. Adam is equipped with advanced AI technology, enabling it to navigate complex terrains and perform functions such as transporting harvested crops. In November 2024, Kisui Tech expanded its lineup by introducing 'Mini Adam,' a more compact version tailored for smaller-scale operations. 

    The company emphasizes in-house development of cutting-edge AI technologies to ensure their products meet the specific needs of modern agriculture. Customer testimonials highlight significant improvements in work efficiency and solutions to labor shortages upon integrating Adam into their operations. Kisui Tech continues to innovate, aiming to revolutionize the future of agriculture through their AI-driven robotic solutions.

Fig.2 Adam developed by Kisui tech [3]

3. Mekaron: Enhancing Efficiency in Japan's Aging Agricultural Sector with Autonomous Mobile Robots [4]

    Japan's agriculture faces significant challenges due to an aging workforce and a decline in labor availability. To address these issues, Doog Inc. has developed the "Mekaron," an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) designed to enhance efficiency in agricultural tasks. Mekaron is engineered to automatically follow workers, assisting in the transportation of harvested crops, thereby reducing physical strain and improving productivity. Its compact design allows for easy maneuverability in various farming environments, including orchards cultivating pears, apples, peaches, and grapes. The robot's user-friendly interface ensures that even individuals with minimal technical expertise can operate it effectively. Additionally, Mekaron's endearing appearance fosters a sense of companionship, making it a welcomed partner in the fields. Doog Inc. has initiated limited sales of Mekaron to researchers, developers, administrative bodies, and agricultural organizations, with plans to expand availability to the general farming community in the near future. The company is also seeking development partners to explore further applications of Mekaron in advancing smart and sustainable agriculture.

Fig. 4 Mekaron developed by Doog Inc. [5]

4. Mobileight: Autonomous Transport Robot ILRO Enhances Efficiency and Versatility [6, 7]

    Mobileight, a South Korean agtech startup, has developed an innovative autonomous transport robot named ILRO. This versatile robot is designed to enhance efficiency in agricultural operations by integrating advanced agri-tech and AI-based autonomous driving technologies.

    

    ILRO operates by maintaining a consistent distance from workers during harvesting, effectively automating the transportation of produce within environments such as orchards. Equipped with obstacle detection capabilities, it ensures safety by automatically stopping when necessary. Beyond transportation, ILRO's adaptable platform allows for the attachment of various implements, enabling tasks such as spraying, fertilizing, and weeding. This flexibility makes it a valuable asset throughout the entire agricultural production cycle.

    In recognition of its technological advancements and growth potential, Mobileight secured seed funding from the Korea SMEs and Startups Agency (KOSME). This investment is set to further bolster the development and deployment of ILRO, aiming to address labor shortages and improve productivity in the agricultural sector.

Fig. 5 Robot platform developed by Mobileight [6]

Reference

1. 대동, 농업용 운반로봇 공식 출시…로봇 시장 진입 본격화, 대동 홈페이지, 

https://ko.daedong.co.kr/news/daedongnews/1808

2. Kisui Tech, https://kisui.ai/

3. Project Adam, https://kisuitech.com/adam/

4. メカロン, 

https://doog-inc.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Mecharon_20211117.pdf

5. 農業の相棒ロボット「メカロン」を体験してみませんか。,

https://www.city.hirosaki.aomori.jp/sangyo/nogyo/apple/2023-0915-1408-37.html

6. Mobileight Official Website, https://mobileight.com/

7. Wowtale Article on Mobileight's Seed Funding, 

https://en.wowtale.net/2024/12/15/228531/