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Mangalore Robotronics Technologies develops novel gadget to power tillers, inks pact with VST for nation-wide
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Monday, 15 March, 2010, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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MV Chandrashekar, Bangalore
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Mangalore Robotronics Technologies(MRT) which has developed a remote controlled system which can be fixed to the power tiller for farming has now entered into a marketing tie-up with Bangalore-based VST Tillers and Tractors Ltd. The first batch of 200 remote controlled systems for which an Indian patent is pending will be released in June.
MRT, which is a design, development and manufacturer of robotics, developed the product in 2005. The power tiller which underwent extensive field trials on various surfaces has now proved its efficiency for the farmers and economies of scale in terms of labour cost and time.
The remote controlled system attached to the tiller is used for wet puddling farms which are widely prevalent in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir and Kerala. Current development is on for its use in dry puddling practices common in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.
Among the unique features of the product are that it has a range of 100 metres and can be operated by the farmer who can stand in the shade.
“Using this technology farmers can avoid the strain of walking behind or along with the power tiller continuously for hours together controlling its direction. The operator can stand peacefully under a shade avoiding exposure to elements and irritating engine noise. Physical damage to knees and the shoulders of the operator can be avoided, Prajwal V Kumar, chief engineer, Mangalore Robotronics Technologies, told F&B News.
Technology comes in the form of a kit that can be attached onto a power tiller. The kit comprises a hand held remote unit , controller unit that need to be mounted on the power tiller and a compact air compressor for powering the pneumatics systems.
Technology uses Radio Frequency for transmission of signal from hand remote unit to the controller unit.
The product design adheres to the wireless regulations as per G.S.R.34 (E) under sections 4 and 7 of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (13 of 1885) and sections 4 and 10 of the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 (17 of 1933).
The Surathkal-based company also has developed a tree climbing-cum-harvesting robot after it received funding from the department of science and technology (DST). “The technology for tree climbing will help cut the bunches of the fruit from the arecanut tree in three minutes. So far, the manual operations required 5-6 minutes but now one can save labour cost and prevent accidents occurring while climbing and cutting. This product will be introduced in the market in October this year.
Products in the pipeline include a remote controlled switching off agri-water pumps using radio-frequency with a wireless medium. The weeding machine would be useful in the rice fields. This technology would now replace labour and save time. It was only a one time investment, said Prajwal.
The company will receive an assistance of Rs. 8 crore from private investors which will be used for manufacture and development of new products for the next two years.
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