Until now agricultural robots have been designed to operate in only one type of environment, with no or limited possibilities for customisation. Thorvald is a new module-based robot design that allows for vastly different robots to be built using the same basic modules, and rebuilt using only basic hand tools. The modules are designed to enable high quality robots that can quickly be customised for a given application in a given environment, such as a greenhouse, tunnel, open field and orchard.
MEET THORVALD - THE MODULAR AGRICULTURAL MULTIPURPOSE ROBOT
Autonomous modular robot delivering knowledge-based farming services
MODULAR
Can be configured for most agricultural environments, such as open fields, tunnels, orchards and greenhouses. Reduces soil compression with its lightweight design.
DOES VARIOUS TASKS
Can perform tasks such as UV-treatment, picking fruits and vegetables, phenotyping, in-field transportation, cutting grass for forage, spraying and data collection/crop prediction.
AUTONOMOUS
Thorvald is autonomous so it operates entirely on its own. Our dedicated team is constantly working on further developing the navigation systems.
A MODULAR ROBOTIC PLATFORM
From the left: A three-wheeled version, a low, narrow version for greenhouses, a differential drive version, a tall phenotyping version, a standard version.
TECH SPECS MAIN PLATFORM
Height: 825 mm
Length: 1500 - 1750 mm
Width: 1000 - 3000+mm
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
Weight 180 𝑘𝑔
Payload 250 𝑘𝑔
Operation time/battery 10 ℎ
Maximum speed 1.5 𝑚/𝑠
Propulsion power 2 𝑘𝑊
Wheel direction 360° (±180°)
The specifications listed above do not apply to all configurations of the robot as the number of driving modules, steering modules and the frame configuration affects its overall performance.
MECHANICAL
4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steering. Can be changed to two-wheel differential drive. Two additional wheels can be added but are not included.
Easily configurable width and length. Width: minimum 60 cm and maximum 200 cm (payload restrictions may apply) length. The dimension of the aluminium pipes is 40 mm. The wiring inside the pipes supports max 150 cm length. The robot is delivered with standard pipes for 100 cm * 160 cm. If suspensions are added, this will add to the minimum length with 24 cm.
The robot is delivered with a tall frame for phenotyping.
Can work under all weather conditions.
ELECTRONICS SPECIFICATIONS
48V Li-Ion batteries with 70 Ah. There is space for another battery, which is not included.
Charger is included (automatic charging is not yet available).
Battery data over CANbus.
Specially designed electronic PCB.
Motherboard with I/O ports and CANbus.
Onboard PC for robot operation. Additional PCs can be connected.
Touchscreen.
SOFTWARE
The robot is fully ROS compatible.
The software is implemented on the robot and Saga Robotics supply all the required binaries for its basic operation.
The buyer will get access to all new navigation modules that Saga Robotics develop.
The software is modular and supports further modules and sensors to be implemented.
Interested in being our tool partner?
We are inviting partners to develop and deploy further tasks to fill the large field of opportunities for robotics in agriculture.
Get in touch with us if you want to develop or already have a tool that we can mount on Thorvald.
VIDEOS OF THORVALD
Thorvald in different configurations doing some of the tasks he is able to execute at a farm.
Meet Halvard Grimstad, one of the Robotic Engineers working with Thorvald.