Robotics in the digital pasture

In order to maintain the regional diversity of average and smaller farms, it is necessary to develop individually adaptable technical solutions for these farms. In the ecological free-range management of grazing animals, biodiversity goals can be supported by knowledge of the condition and yield of the grazing areas, thus contributing to species-appropriate rearing and husbandry of the animals. Personnel- and time-intensive activities should be digitally supported for better planning and ideally be taken over by robotics. Examples of these activities are the cutting of electric fencing, in its dual function as fencing of livestock and as protection against predators, the detection and regulation, or removal of weeds such as dock and ragwort, or the determination of yields. Robotics will be used for this purpose, which can be technologically coupled to electric, mobile outdoor robots or, in perspective, to standard agricultural equipment. The variety of applications is to be made possible by this modularity and specially developed sensor technology. This will make it possible for users with limited financial resources in particular to use high technology in agriculture.