Episode 321 - Space Age Farming   addthis
It could be the forerunner of farming in the future. Researchers at the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign are developing "robotic" weeders. - computerized self contained machines that run on batteries or solar power. But weeds are only part of the story when it comes to automation. Automation engineers want to expand that technology to develop robotic tractors as well. 

 

  

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The word, "Robot" was coined by a Czech playwright in one of his productions in 1921. And while the idea of metal mechanical men was popular in early science fiction books and movies, the first real robot wasn't developed until 1961. This one, however, bore no resemblance to a mechanical humanoid. It was a robotic piece of equipment used to mold car parts at a General Motors plant.

Links
Illinois Farm Bureau
Illinois Department of Agriculture

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The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, Farm Credit, and the United Soybean Board make presentation of America's Heartland possible.
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Additional production and promotion assistance is provided by
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