Reducing Costs and Increasing Accuracy with Ag Technology

CAS’s Latest Field Trial

In a recent field trial, Carbon Asset Solutions (CAS) demonstrated the capabilities of unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) in soil carbon measurement, bringing operational costs down while maintaining the highest standards for accuracy and precision.

This proof of concept was a collaboration between CAS, Olds College and UKKO Robotics and represented the final phase of a project funded with assistance from Alberta Innovates and Agriculture and Agrifood Canada.

The MINS Unit: A New Standard for Soil Carbon Measurement

Central to this trial is the MINS unit, a new and unique tool for quantifying soil carbon density in agricultural soils. The MINS technology was developed and patented by the US Department of Agriculture’s National Soil Dynamics Lab in Auburn Alabama over a period of 7 years. Under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, CAS and the USDA commercialized MINS and issued additional joint patents, expanding MINS capabilities.

Using the principle of nuclear spectroscopy, MINS measures carbon continuously 1.5m wide to a depth of 30cm without the need for field calibration or laboratory samples.

The MINS unit measures a significantly greater volume of soil with unparalleled precision compared to other methodologies. This capability is the cornerstone of CAS's 95% level of certainty in soil carbon measurement, providing an order of magnitude improvement in accuracy and reliability.

Innovative Automation in Field Measurement

The trial focused on operating the tow vehicle remotely, designed to follow a preprogrammed route while towing the MINS unit.

Key features tested during the trial included:

• Obstacle Detection: The vehicle can detect obstacles up to 10 meters ahead and automatically stops when detected. A pressure bar at the front also stops the vehicle upon encountering any unforeseen object.
• Speed Control: The trial confirmed the vehicle’s ability to maintain a consistent speed crucial for the MINS unit to collect precise carbon measurement data from the soil.
• Repeatability / Path Planning: Following a custom path representing a grid coverage of the field, the unit demonstrated it’s ability to repeat the path with sub cm accuracy, a critical requirement of a carbon measure/remeasure protocol. (Many thanks to Kubota for their assistance with the path plan)
• Data Transmission: Leveraging Starlink internet access technology, the trial successfully established real-time data transmission capabilities from the field to cloud storage, as well as basic telematics for the UGV function.

Eli Anderson, Research Technician from Olds College had this to say about the trial, "The best part about working with Olds College Centre for Innovation (OCCI) is being able to work alongside companies like CAS and UKK? Robotics, and experience how they're integrating autonomy with the agriculture industry. The technology that CAS and UKK? Robotics has developed showcases great potential for both the ag and carbon industry. As a former student at Olds College, I was often exposed to teachings and discussions regarding the future technologies in the agriculture industry. CAS is taking the next step forward in developing these future technologies and I am intrigued to see where they will go."

Economic Empowerment for Sustainable Farming

This successful trial represents another step forward for leap both for CAS and the farmers that will benefit from its soil carbon MRV. The autonomous vehicle and MINS unit combination allows for even lower cost, repeatable and accurate soil carbon data collection, a crucial element in the fight against climate change through improved soil health and carbon sequestration.

Future Implications and Developments

The purpose of the trial was to confirm the ability to have a single operator control remotely, or to have a single operator run multiple MINS units at once.

With this trial, CAS has effectively doubled its capacity to engage new farmers, bringing advanced technology directly into the hands of those who stand to benefit most. The success of the UGV convept paves the way for stacked funding opportunities aimed at enhancing CAS's technological offerings, including:

• Expertise Enhancement: Funding for GIS/mapping expertise, additional programming resources, and statistical analysis to optimize autonomous operations.
• Technological Advancements: Development of the next generation of MINS technology with enhanced autonomous capabilities.

Conclusion

The trial proved both the functionality of integrating a UGV with precision soil measurement technology and showcased CAS's commitment to innovation and sustainability. As we move forward, these advancements promise to accelerate the transition of agricultural practices towards being more sustainable, efficient, and beneficial for both farmers and the global ecosystem.