Technology developed to improve agricultural accuracy
New technology to help improve the accuracy of a tractor’s ploughing could help increase productivity in agriculture.
The technology was developed by the Navtronics, a Belgium ESA Business Incubation Centre. Using Real Time Kinematic (RTK) satellite navigation from Galileo, GPS and Glonass, it automates the ploughing of the field. The automated accuracy exceeds manual steering and tests show it resulting in the better use of available land and higher productivity from human and machines.
The new technology uses the ‘phase’ information of the signal’s carrier wave, rather than simple satnav signal content. By combining this with a reference station for real-time corrections, the Navtronics system can provide up to centimetre-level accuracy.
The precision also avoids the double spraying of pesticides or, through mechanical weeding on organic farms, could eliminate the need for pesticides altogether.
The agricultural sector will receive funding through Horizon 2020. Jean-Jacques Dordain, the director general of the ESA, has said co-operation is crucial between the agency and the EU in the area of space research.
Seven Business Incubation Centres have been set up throughout Europe, supporting more than 60 start-ups every year.
