Researchers at Yanmar R&D Europe have paired an efficient Yanmar combined heat and power (CHP) generator with advanced gasifier technology to deliver a solution that solves the challenge of farm waste. Farmers simply feed woody farm waste in one end, to produce power, heat, and useful farm products. The whole system is portable and fits neatly in two standard sized shipping containers.
With maritime robotics technologies progressing rapidly, since 2017 with the Robotic Boat, an unmanned maritime vessel, Yanmar has been working on the deployment of auto-navigation and automatic docking systems. Yanmar’s maritime robotics technology aims to ease labor shortages in the fisheries start and ensure safe working marine environments.
Agriculture in the future will see increasing use of scientifically precise farming techniques, where automated ‘agro-bots’ monitor, treat and work the land, using advanced technology designed to help maximize yields and minimize disease. With its extensive experience in automation and agricultural mechanization, Yanmar is now showing the way in advanced field robotics research.
From labor shortages to an aging population and a shortage of farmers in the next generation, Japan’s agriculture industry is dealing with a myriad of issues. At the same time, some in the industry are tackling these problems head on and see agricultural robotization as one approach to meeting the challenges facing the industry.
Yanmar has participated in a field test to demonstrate the use of precision location technology in autonomous agricultural equipment held by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the working group consisting of Thai and Japan organizations. The demonstration southeast of Bangkok, served to draw attention to the labor-saving potential of autonomous technologies in agriculture.
Yanmar has undertaken development of underlying technologies for robotic boats and auto-docking, technologies that are expected to see service in operations in dangerous waters, maritime surveys, or smart fisheries.
Yanmar is set to embark on an ambitious 2-year, 4 million Euro project in cooperation with 10 technology partners to develop a modular robotic system to monitor, analyze and manage agricultural crops. The Smart Machine for Agricultural Solutions Hightech (SMASH) project is co-financed under the Tuscany region of Italy and scheduled to run to 2020.
In Japan, YANMAR Co., Ltd. has participated in a test of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered boat, under the auspices of the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The aim of the research project is to draft guidelines for safety of hydrogen fuel cell-powered boats.
With the robotics industry market in Japan expected to expand from 1.6 trillion JPY in 2015 to 2.9 trillion JPY in 2020, reaching 9.7 trillion JPY by the year 2035, Yanmar is conducting research into agricultural robot technology towards reducing the physical demands of farming and meeting the challenges of an aging population.
Since 1984, Yanmar generators have provided heat and power to Japan's Syowa Base in Antarctica. In an interview with past expedition members, we look at the importance of research conducted at the base and take a look at Yanmar's role.
With beginnings in Osaka, Japan in 1912, Yanmar was the first ever to succeed in making a compact diesel engine of a practical size in 1933. Moving on, with industrial diesel engines as the cornerstone of the enterprise, Yanmar has continued to expand its product range, services, and expertise to deliver total solutions as an industrial equipment manufacturer. As a provider of small and large engines, agricultural machinery and facilities, construction equipment, energy systems, marine, machine tools, and components — Yanmar’s global business operations span seven domains.
On land, at sea, and in the city, Yanmar’s Mission of “providing sustainable solutions focused on the challenges customers face, in food production and harnessing power, thereby enriching people’s lives for all our tomorrows,” stands testament to Yanmar’s determination to provide us with “A Sustainable Future”.
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