Japanese robotic farming experiment

… Japan just launched a $130 million (10 billion yen) robotic farming project on a 600 acre plot of land, It is hoped the 6 year experiment will rejuvenate the Japanese agricultural industry. Funding is from a consortium of farmers, high-tech manufacturers and the government’s agricultural ministry; the land was swamped by the March tsunami.
… Unmanned tractors will work fields and other robots will harvest and pick and pack rice, wheat, soybeans, fruit and other vegetables.
… The consortium plans to urge local farmers to consolidate their farmland in similar co-ops where the economics make the use of robots for farming automation affordable.

Frank Tobe is the owner and publisher of The Robot Report, and is also a panel member for Robohub's Robotics by Invitation series.

Frank Tobe is the owner and publisher of The Robot Report, and is also a panel member for Robohub's Robotics by Invitation series.