“The use of robotics in agriculture is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.”
Dr. Josef Franko
AI.Land - Krefeld, Germany
ReBeL costs
4,970 €
Vegetable boxes per year
8,000 – 10,000
DOF
22
Sensor points per fingertip
1,000
In a nutshell
AI.Land’s DAVEGI project aims to revolutionize agriculture by introducing affordable robotics solutions to vegetable farming. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s vision for integrated systems, the project employs advanced ReBeL Cobots developed by igus to fully automate key farming tasks such as planting, watering, pest control, and harvesting.
This innovation promises to make agricultural processes more efficient, sustainable, and equitable. By leveraging robotic technology, AI.Land strives to address modern farming challenges while reducing costs for farmers, enabling a direct farm-to-table approach that eliminates intermediaries and minimizes environmental impact, creating a fairer and more efficient agricultural system.
The challenges: precision, adaptability, and cost-efficiency
AI.Land's DAVEGI project faced unique challenges in achieving seamless automation for vegetable farming. The tasks: develop systems capable of planting, watering, pest control, and harvesting—previously done manually with variable efficiency and high labor costs.
Precision meets complexity
The automation system needed to handle diverse agricultural tasks with accuracy and reliability. Key challenges included:
- Teaching robots to interact with delicate plants without causing damage.
- Adapting robotic systems to varying crop types and farm environments.
- Improving harvesting precision to reduce waste while increasing yield.
Cost-efficiency meets accessibility
AI.Land’s use of igus ReBeL Cobots and modular components kept costs low, allowing farmers to see returns on investment within months. Flexible designs and robust parts ensured affordability and easy maintenance, making advanced automation accessible to small and medium-sized farms.
The solution: Fully automated vegetable farming with precision and sustainability
To revolutionize vegetable farming, AI.Land developed the DAVEGI system, powered by igus ReBeL Cobots. This innovative solution fully automates tasks like planting, watering, pest control, and harvesting. By using advanced robotics, the system ensures precision, minimizes plant damage, reduces waste, and enhances yields.
The DAVEGI system is built with modular components and adaptable end-effectors, allowing it to handle diverse crops and environments. Its flexibility makes it suitable for various farming scenarios. Additionally, the user-friendly design simplifies integration into existing workflows, enabling farmers to adopt the technology quickly and efficiently.
By cutting out intermediaries, transport, and storage costs, the solution supports a streamlined farm-to-table process. This reduces environmental impact while enhancing sustainability and efficiency throughout the agricultural value chain.
Thanks to affordable robotics technology, the system is accessible to small and medium-sized farms. With a return on investment within six months, DAVEGI offers an economically viable path toward modern and sustainable farming practices.
Key facts
Robot Model
ReBeL Cobots
Tasks automated
Planting, watering, pest control, harvesting
Custom Features
Flexible systems & robust components
Cost Efficiency
Amortization period ca. 6 months
Conclusion
DAVEGI represents more than just an automated farming system – it redefines how agriculture can incorporate technology for efficiency, precision, and sustainability. By replacing labor-intensive tasks with flexible robotic solutions, AI.Land demonstrates how targeted innovation can empower farmers, increase productivity, and reduce ecological impact.
The decision to focus on low-cost modular components and adaptable robotics was strategic: shifting away from costly, complex automation systems to accessible, scalable technology. This makes farming innovation available to even small and medium-sized enterprises.
The result is a robust farming system that simplifies operations, reduces costs, and shortens the farm-to-table process. DAVEGI exemplifies how advanced automation can transform traditional industries while maintaining profitability and environmental responsibility.