Competition Aims to Spur Industry at ‘Crossroads’

Listen to this story

Subscriber Benefit

As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now

This audio file is brought to you by

0:00

0:00

Loading audio file, please wait.

Speed
1.00

• 0.25
• 0.50
• 0.75
• 1.00
• 1.25
• 1.50
• 1.75
• 2.00

An agricultural communications and data technology company is launching a year-long competition for student-created unmanned farm equipment. Rockville-based airBridge Chief Executive Officer Steve Gerrish says the agBOT Challenge involves developing a machine that can plant and observe a crop, then analyze, send and respond to data about its conditions. He says the technology already exists in agriculture, defense and automotive industries, but hasn't been combined into one piece of equipment. Gerrish tells Inside INdiana Business the technology is scalable and helps farmers plant the volume they always have, just in a different way.

He expects a “good number” of the 50-60 colleges and universities that offer agricultural mechanization courses to be represented in the competition.

Plans have been set for competitions in 2016 and 2017 involving different agricultural tasks.

You can connect to more about the contest by clicking here.

Source: Inside INdiana Business