Tegwyn Twmffat's "Do Nothing Robot" Is Really a Platform for High-Accuracy Autonomous Farming Robots

Maker Tegwyn Twmffat and colleagues at Goat Industries have published what is described as "the simplest design possible" for a Raspberry Pi-powered robot that can autonomously navigate around a farm — giving farmers a platform on which to build more complicated designs.

"Having been involved in the development of a number of farm robots," Twmffat explains, "we decided to go back to basics and re-visit the main systems and think how they could be simplified and made more accessible to people wanting to start out building a farm robot from scratch. This is not a beginner's project and is aimed at entry level farm robot developers who need to get a quick start with advanced, highly accurate, GPS sensors."

Although described as not being for beginners, Twmffat clarifies that "no expert knowledge" is required. Instead, those looking to build atop the platform will only need the "basic ability to code in Python and C++ and [knowledge of the] use of compilers/build systems," familiarity with Arm-based single-board computers and Linux, good knowledge of networking, basic knowledge of electronics — and "good-level welding and fabrication skills."

"There is currently only one set of sensors - advanced GPS sensors - and these obviously need a platform to work off, so the sensors and associated software are only a small part of the project," Twmffat writes. "A robot developer can then add all the other sensors he might require after getting the basics in place."

"People who come to visit on-site often ask 'What does it actually do,' thinking it must weed some crops or such like and we reply 'It does absolutely nothing. It's a do nothing robot.' This is a slight exaggeration, as it could quite happily tow an agricultural 'implement' behind it such as a mower, but essentially all it does is drive around a field autonomously."

Twmffat's guide is split into several "chapters," covering the mechanical aspects, the electrical and electronic systems, the control system, radio communications, sensors, and software. As well as guides for the proven aspects of each, Twmfatt has also published a series of build logs which cover more experimental efforts. "Both successes and failures are extremely valuable in the path forwards," the maker explains, "and both deserve documenting with equal merit."

The full write-up is available on the Hackaday.io project page, with footage of the robot available on the project YouTube playlist.