Is augmented reality the future of farming?
Imagine a farmer being able to tell a paddock’s pasture cover and dry matter content just by looking at it, or accessing information about a cow’s body condition score in the same way.
A remote control Bobcat enables the popular machine to be worked in the usual tight spots -- with nobody in the operator seat.
The manufacturer is reckoned the first to introduce such a system as original plug and play equipment, and it’s compatible with the company’s selectable joystick controls.
Remote control especially suits extreme environs where a machine-bound operator would otherwise be at risk, eg in flood, mud, rockslide or forest fire.
Doosan Bobcat loader project manager Jiri Karmazin says the system can be used in many applications.
“It allows users to focus on visibility and communicate with their surroundings without being in the cab.
“There are also obvious benefits for workers in situations where noise, vibration or dust may bring harsh risks.”
As well as allowing direct sight of the work, the system increases the loader’s versatility with attachments like angle brooms, breakers, buckets, snow blowers, trenchers or wheel-saws, where the operator have to work in reverse for much of the job.
The controller is easily portable and quickly mounted or dismounted from the loader in a few minutes, leaving the machine in its original form.
Remote control kits are housed in a rugged waterproof enclosure, and have a 20 hour battery, a dedicated access password and a 9cm colour LCD display that can show fuel level and temperature and other key data.
The operators has control of all key functions including the throttle, creep and float controls, speed management and, of course, the emergency stop button.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.
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