Investing in a FarmDroid is more than just purchasing a farming robot. It’s stepping into the future of precision agriculture. FarmDroid FD20 is the ideal solution for growers who want to remove or greatly reduce chemical inputs and still benefit from highly precise weed control, all without additional manual work.
So what does the journey from considering new machinery to farming with a FarmDroid robot look like? Let’s walk through the process of bringing a FarmDroid to your farm and making it an essential part of your operation.
Is FarmDroid right for your farm?
It all begins with curiosity. You’ve probably heard about FarmDroid’s precise seeding and weed control capabilities, and you may even have seen one operating in the field. Now you’re ready to explore whether it is the right fit for your farm.
Contacting us or one of our local partners is the first step. On our website, you fill out a simple form sharing details about your crops, field size, and growing method. We then contact you promptly to discuss your needs and how FarmDroid could fit into your operation.
FarmDroid works with over 100 specialty crops and across varying soil types. It is typically high-value crop growers, where precision weeding matters most, who choose our field robot. FarmDroid FD20 is recommended for around 20 hectares in the first season. As you gain experience and confidence, the robot can be used on up to 30 hectares.
FarmDroid is not traditional farm machinery. Many farmers compare their FarmDroid to a baby that needs care and attention in the beginning. Once you learn its language and understand how to work with it, it becomes a reliable, self-driving helper on your farm. Having this mindset is an important part of succeeding with FarmDroid.
For many growers, the next natural question is the financial one: is FarmDroid right for your farm economy? You can calculate your potential savings using our ROI calculator based on your current weed control costs.
Making FarmDroid fit your field
Once we confirm that FarmDroid is a good match for your farm, we take a deeper look at your specific requirements to configure the robot together. You don’t need to know all the answers upfront. That’s part of the process.
We discuss the number of rows, row spacing, suitable wheel setup, and any additional features or add-ons that can help you get the most out of your field assistant. This is a joint process. You bring your field knowledge, and we combine it with our expertise in automatic seeding and weed control.
With our online configuration tool, you can create the robot configuration you believe fits your farm and then contact us for consultation. Together, we ensure your FarmDroid is built to support efficient and precise crop management.
Once we finalize the configuration together, we inform our local partner in your region. They handle the ordering process, answer any final questions, and ensure everything is ready for delivery.
What happens when FarmDroid arrives at your farm?
After careful preparation at our factory in Denmark, your FarmDroid is delivered on a pallet directly to your farm. This is where the practical journey truly begins.
Our local partner visits your farm to provide hands-on assistance during set-up and training. You learn how to operate your FarmDroid and see it running in the field as part of a test operation. This ensures you feel confident before starting your regular field work.
If you have any questions after the partner has left, you either find step-by-step guides on our Knowledge Base platform or contact our local partner for support.
Preparing the field for your FarmDroid
A flat and uniform seedbed is one of the most important success factors when using FarmDroid. A well-prepared field allows the robot to seed and weed with 8 mm accuracy, helping maintain clean fields throughout the season.
Large soil clods, crop residues, and big stones can disrupt operations, potentially stopping the robot and requiring manual attention in the field. This is why the field should be prepared to create an even surface with consistent soil structure before seeding.
Ploughing, cultivating, and compacting are common preparation practices among FarmDroid users. A simple rule of thumb applies: if the field is comfortable to walk on without stumbling, it is usually suitable for FarmDroid.
Here are some best practices for field preparation:
- The soil is neither pulverized nor left with large lumps
- A homogeneous surface, prepared in the same direction as seeding
- Trailer pressure is not excessive but kept at optimal levels
- The soil is compact enough to provide good traction, not overly loose
Planning operations: Turning a field into a working system
Once the field is prepared, the next step is mapping the field and planning operations.
Using the Field Setup Tool and FarmDroid App on your phone, you start by mapping the boundaries of your field. Next, you map obstacles. These can be trees or big rocks that could otherwise interrupt your robot’s operation.
Next, you set the operational parameters you have already discussed. This includes crop spacing and seeding and weeding parameters based on your crop size and spacing. For example, you decide how close to the plant the robot should weed. As crops grow and spacing changes, these parameters should be adjusted accordingly.
This planning phase turns your agronomic decisions into clear instructions that guide the robot throughout the season.
Keeping the field clean from the start
To achieve the best results, we recommend starting to weed immediately after seeding. If this sounds counterintuitive, you’re not alone. Most weeding machines rely on detecting visible weeds before removing them. FarmDroid works differently. Because the FD20 knows the exact position of every seed sown through GPS, it does not need to wait for weeds to emerge. It can begin weeding right after seeding, targeting only the weeds while protecting the crop. This early start prevents weeds from becoming established and supports clean, uniform crop establishment from the very beginning.
Farming with FarmDroid throughout the season
Common practice shows that many farmers use FarmDroid for seeding during the first few days and then start weeding right away until crops grow large enough to close the rows or become too tall for mechanical weeding. At that stage, further weeding is usually no longer needed.
As FarmDroid works tirelessly in the field, you can monitor its operation through the live view in the FarmDroid App. Some farmers prefer to visit their fields periodically to observe crop development and check how the weeding tools are working. Based on plant size and conditions, you may decide to adjust in-row weeding parameters as we mentioned earlier.
If conditions are not suitable, for example during heavy rain, the robot stops safely on its own. Any issues or interruptions are clearly visible in the app, giving you full transparency and control.
Once weather conditions improve, the robot can be manually restarted by the operator. Thanks to its lightweight design, FarmDroid can often resume work sooner than heavier machinery on a wet field. Rain sensitivity settings for the safe stop can be adjusted to match your soil and crop type.
During periods with limited sunlight, FarmDroid works until its batteries are depleted and then pauses until sufficient light is available to recharge via the solar panels. For fields with unpredictable light conditions, we recommend equipping the robot with the FarmDroid Power Bank which extends operation by an additional 10 to 12 hours.
Support, service, and learning over time
Owning a FarmDroid means having support when you need it. Our local partner is your primary contact and helps ensure your robot runs smoothly throughout the season.
In addition, our in-house support team, FarmDroid Care, provides assistance via phone and email. They manage software updates, create guides, and support our local partners during set-up and troubleshooting. You are never left alone when challenges arise in the field.
Most questions arise during the first season. With guidance and experience, confidence grows quickly, and many farmers become experienced FarmDroid users who share insights with new customers.
Is this journey right for you?
If you are a farmer who…
- wants to reduce reliance on chemical inputs or manual labor
- values precise crop establishment and consistent weed control over covering the largest possible area in the shortest time
- accept that learning takes time in the beginning, but who are willing to invest that effort to gain long-term control and predictable results
this journey might be right for you.
FarmDroid rewards farmers who plan ahead and see precision as a long-term strategy rather than a quick fix.
Interested in learning more? Do not hesitate to book one of our robot specialists to help you with any questions you might have and get you started on your FarmDroid journey.