The idea of this project is that of using different sensor modalities and multi-algorithm approaches to detect the various kinds of obstacles and to build an obstacle database that can be used for vehicle control. For instance, bearing and distance to the nearest collision can be estimated and used by the path planner to change route or to lower the speed if an obstacle is in close proximity to the vehicle’s planned path. Road and cliff edges should be handled as special cases since the consequences to the vehicle of breaching a cliff edge are very severe.

The main objective of the STRATOS project is to develop an open ICT hardware-software infrastructure enabling the partial automation of tractors and at the same time enhancing their operational safety and production efficiency, with the positive effects of reduced accident risk and environmental impact.

Hydraulic modules are the building blocks of many applications, in particular specialized vehicles. The aim of this project is to develop a safe and resource-efficient technology of regulation and control for a stilt tractor. This is to be achieved by an innovative approach to sensor integration. External position and altitude sensors will be used to enable highly dynamic control. The upgrade of consisting hydraulic modules will be possible. The stilt tractor will be demonstrated in a vineyard.

Robots invade farmland An increasing number of farming operations in the field are taken over by robots because many agricultural implements have become so automatic that they can do the job on their own. However, the farmer is not yet completely superfluous since the robots need to be monitored and guided. For years farmers and their machinery have been partners in shouldering the heavy jobs that have to be done in the field. Now a new type of partnership with machinery is emerging where machines are asked to not merely do the heavy jobs.