No batteries required - the future foretold

Sometimes reinventing or updating old technology can provide a better product than innovating from scratch with the latest and greatest. This is no more evident than in agriculture and farming. Ideas and concepts often just come around full circle, and with a new spin are better second time around. This doesn’t mean we stop innovating, it just means be aware of what is already happening on farm and see where new technology can fit into existing practices, to speed up adoption.

The other day I needed to label some office equipment we were shipping out to the field. I have two handheld Brother labeling machines sitting on the bench. They always have flat batteries, because I use them once or twice a year at best. They also don’t come with a main power supply. This is an extra, if you can ever find where to buy one. When you do get some batteries, or hijack a power supply from something else that fits, the tape has run out!

So I traipse down to Officeworks, to get batteries, some new tape or a third labeler. Just what I need another labeler that will have flat batteries sitting on the shelf. I was very hesitant to buy a third device. To my surprise, I found a Dymo embossing tape machine - while being very retro and cool, it importantly required no batteries. The Dymo embosser came to market in 1958, that’s 60 years ago and it looked exactly the same as the ones we had a school when I was a kid. In those days they were expensive and not something you would necessarily have at home. The latest version had been updated with funky colours and a multitude of coloured tape, not just black - welcome to the 21st Century! Even with three roles of extra fluro coloured tape, it was still well under $40. We are now talking one happy camper! Back to the office and I labelled everything that didn’t move.

This got me thinking and looking around the agricultural business and technology space - 'no batteries required and keep it simple'. There is a lot of tech coming on the scene, driven by new developments and innovations from other industries that get squeezed into the Ag space. There is also a mountain of improvements being made to existing machinery, equipment and practices to make a grower or agronomist’s work life easier or more efficient. One of the best ways to discover 'unmeet needs' and drive innovation is using observational market research. A lot of the major corporate businesses employ research people to watch other people get about their daily life, in the super market, car parks and at work. This is the most expensive market research, however, has successfully come up with some innovative products such as the electric sliding door and tailgates on mini vans, which was adapted technology that came from a different division within the motoring industry. 

In the agricultural world there is no better way to discover new ideas than to look around when you are on farm. Look at what the grower has modified, or what have they built to help them get on with their job, and ask why. When the need has been identified ask, 'is there something that has already been developed in another industry or even a different agricultural sector that can be adapted to suit that situation'? I think it is human nature to initially adopt the 'it wasn't invent here syndrome' or worry about margins, kudos and IP when using other people ideas, rather than trying to solve a problem and help the industry. Take the time to look around your clients and their neighbours and identify opportunities.

Next month is the 30th anniversary of the completion my Uni thesis - time flies when your having fun! I found a loose leaf printed copy of the document this week, and with in 5 minutes had it scanned and compiled as PDF. Even back then before MS Windows, mobile phones and the internet I wrote about using technology on farm - specifically personal computers. Without giving away the end game some things have changed and others haven't. However, I did predict two future conceptual technologies that would help on farm. They are both now 'real' and will have different effects, but you will need to wait a few weeks for that.