Scientists from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences tested the world’s first robot for autonomous forestry operations. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Journal of Field Robotics (JFR).
An unmanned wheeled vehicle with a computer vision system, navigation, and hydraulic clutch was able to self-maneuver through a variety of forest landscapes and efficiently collect logs from the ground. The device operates under the supervision of a human operator who can signal an emergency stop in an unexpected or dangerous situation.
“Beyond the short-term impact on forestry, technological advances related to autonomous forestry machines have the potential to solve existing environmental problems.
Our tests showed that the use of autonomous navigation and manipulation algorithms, together with other advanced technologies, enables autonomous machines to not only enable more efficient timber harvesting but also contribute to the development of sustainable forestry,” said study author Dr. Pedro La Guera.
According to the scientist, robotic systems minimize secondary damage to the environment due to logging.
engineers before designed The first autonomous asphalt paving robot.