In this workshop Niall Dempsey will host a Q&A session about the robot he built for his Roscrea farm. FarmBot (the sheep herding robot) was initially inspired when Niall needed some assistance with herding sheep but did not have enough work for a trained sheep dog. As the idea developed other uses sprang to mind and it became a multi-function robot.
Farmbot is a small (2 ft x 3 ft x 2 ft high approx.), four wheel, electrically power vehicle that is currently controlled by remote control. It contains a video camera with night vision and transmitter, a video receiver connected to a TV, PC or a small portable screen enables the robot to be controlled from the comfort of an armchair while the the robot goes about its business at a range of up to 300 meters.
Currently it can herd sheep, observe livestock, mow the lawn, spray weeds, rake gravel, carry light loads, pull a small trailer, act as a security guard and entertain children (and grown ups). The long term aim is to be able to control FarmBot over the internet giving it a world wide range.
