An Autonomous Work Platform That Tows 6,000 Pounds
The Burro Grande 44 is an autonomous work platform that tows up to 6,000 lbs, carries 1,500 lbs and mows or spot-sprays on farms and nurseries without a driver.
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An Autonomous Work Platform That Tows 6,000 Pounds
Augean Robotics, Inc. builds the Burro line of farm robots, and the Burro Grande 44 is described on its page as "Burro's most powerful autonomous work platform." The machine is made for towing, hauling, mowing and spraying on farms, nurseries and industrial yards. The company summarizes the idea in four words: "No driver. No downtime." Routes, speeds, stops and destinations are set in advance in the company's BOSS Web software, and the robot then does the work on its own. The page introduces it as "The All-New Grande 44," without giving a launch date.
Power and Load
The Grande 44 produces 44 horsepower at peak and 18 continuously, using brushless electric motors and independent four-wheel drive. It can tow up to 6,000 lbs and carry up to 1,500 lbs on a steel cargo tray that measures 47.9 by 47.8 inches and stands 27.5 inches high. Top speed is 5 mph. The body is 60 inches long, 48 wide and 64 high, with 9 inches of ground clearance on standard 23-inch tires. Larger tires, up to 26 by 12-12, are optional.
Battery and Charging
The chassis holds a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, a common long-life lithium type, of 10 to 20 kWh. An Extended Battery Pack raises capacity to 40 kWh, though it takes up space on the top tray. The page lists runtimes of about 6 hours with 10 kWh and about 9 hours with 20 kWh, and notes that actual time varies with load, terrain and duty cycle. A 2.5 kW charger on a 220-volt supply recharges the robot, and an optional autonomous wireless dock is available.
How It Senses and Navigates
Four stereo cameras, which use two lenses to judge depth, work with a 360° 3D LiDAR, a sensor that measures distance with laser pulses. Positioning comes from RTK GNSS, a satellite method that applies real-time corrections. The robot also carries headlights, tail lights, turn signals and work-area lighting. The company says the platform is "built on 1M+ hours of real-world autonomy data," a figure the page does not explain further. The page gives no detail on safety certifications or on how the robot behaves in unusual situations.
Attachments and Where It Works
Two attachments are listed. Cortador is a 48-inch autonomous brush cutter for mowing. Sprayito is a selective spot sprayer that detects weeds, and the company claims "up to 75% less chemical use compared to broadcast application," which means spraying a whole area. Uses named on the page include nurseries, vineyards for harvest assist, mowing and spraying, orchards and tree fruit, and berries. The platform also appears in intermodal and depot yards, airports, rail, automotive logistics and vegetation management.
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