Digitization and Automation Exemplary development projects for automation

The article describes two development projects for semi-autonomous machines that are representative of the automation trend supported by digitalisation. Characteristics of these trends are described, which do not primarily aim at a general replacement of the workforce, but enable the change of work tasks away from routine activities that can be automated towards management and problem-solving skills. In this context, potential is seen for meeting current challenges in agricultural technology much better than possible with existing machine concepts. The first example – a semi-autonomous platform for fruit- and vineyards – shows how process-unspecific tasks such as navigation can be combined with process-specific tasks such as spraying. The energy supply is modularised, diesel-electric on the one hand and battery-electric with fuel cell on the other. The second example shows the development and the basic idea of the field swarm.