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Using a combination of Robotics, Manned and Unmanned Aerial Systems as well as Data Analytics, Distributed Processing and Ledgers and Engineering to Automate Plantation Operations
About
Project Objectives 1. Development objectives 1.1.. To create a satellite-enabled industry, leading an intelligent Autonomous Harvesting, Fertilisation, Weeding and Transportation (AutoHaFeWeT) system that will be cost effective and less labour dependent for the oil palm plantation industry. 1.2. To develop enhanced telemetric communication between autonomous vehicles and plantation infrastructure with geographic information systems (GIS) for end user to vet real-time data. 1.3. To support the wider drive towards the development and implementation of autonomous systems nationwide via training and up-skilling the workforce by: 4.1.3.1. Providing a comprehensive training package for the Malaysian workforce, both civil and private sector to be redeployed as skilled workforce in the various offshoots from this initiative. 2. Immediate Goals – 27 months 2.1. The Kambyan Network shall rollout this first-of-a-kind and unique autonomous plantation operations with AutoHaFeWeT The following are the goals and timelines that have been set for this Project: 2.2. As this is a large-scale project, the salient project results are: 2.2.1 Phase 1: The reduction of production cost of FFB by at least 15% post implementation of autonomous fertilization and weeding system. 2.2.2 Phase 2: The real-time data collation of assigned acreage and using photogrammetry to analyse health of palms vis a vis applied measures, e.g. amount of fertilizers, herbicides etc… 2.2.3. Phase 3: Training of at least 200 capable Malaysians from both private and public sectors to become competent personnel in Autonomous operations. 2.2.4. Phase 4: Establishing a fully Autonomous Operations 3.0 | Project Implementation and Management Plan 3.1. Expected project results 3.1.1. Initiation – Signing of MoA with Plantation.Owner Implementation Digital Baseline into the estate. Deploying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with weeding and fertilisation capabilities. 3.1.2. 6 months - Project kick-off with AutoHaFeWeT project Phase 1 and Phase 2. Goal to demonstrate cost savings per hectare /tonne against existing production costs. Collation of plantation data and real-time operations to be accessed at end-user level. Phase 1 and 2 will lay out the blue print for further enhancement of system and plantation operations to be in-sync with Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) and RSPO objectives. 3.1.3. 11 months (Phase 3): Training of Plantation Technicians capable of operating and managing autonomous systems. Training of Civil Servants who are currently employed in the various departments (DOSH, CAAM, MPOB etc) that need to be aware and skilled in the deployment of Autonomous Systems in order for them to be able to govern and regulate this technology. Goal to streamline the labour and legislative requirements. 3.1.4. 18 months (Phase 4): Rollout of plantation wide Autonomous Harvesting, Transportation and Collection System which will enhance the quality of oil production by timely delivery of FFBs to mills.
Key Benefits
1.0. PROBLEMS ADDRESSED 1.1. The industry is mired with allegations of ecological destruction, socio-economic injustices and labour exploitation issues that directly and indirectly impact the cost of production. 1.2. Malaysia – a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), strives to transform and brand its palm oil industry into and as a sustainable economic trade. However, recent actions by EU member states in blacklisting the industry will have grave consequences to the nation and wellbeing of the millions of Malaysians who depend on this industry. 1.3. By introducing state-of-the-art autonomous systems into this industry, we seek to address the problems above. 1.4. In line with the national objectives of uplifting and upskilling the Malaysian work force to industry 4.0 requirements, this Project also has the ability to be a major game changer and landmark initiative with our proprietary Autonomous Harvesting, Fertilization, Weeding and Transportation (AutoHaFeWeT). 1.5. 65% of the cost of production of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) in the oil palm plantation is taken up by Harvesting, Fertilisation, Weeding and Transportation. 2.0. BENEFITS 2.1 By introducing autonomous systems the above cost can be reduced – Cost Benefits. 2.2. With the application of these systems, the need for the industry to rely on foreign labour is reduced and, in some instances, can be eliminated. Socio – Economic Benefits. 2.3. The big data analytics of the system can produce real-time data to corroborate claims of sustainable production. - Ecological and International Goodwill Benefits. 2.4 Improvements in efficiencies and productivity through use of artificial intelligence and big data analytics will increase yields per hectare and boost output of FFB without the need to expand land banks to increase revenue – Increase in Yields
Applications
Starting with The Oil Palm Plantations, we move to other large scale agricultural crops such as Rubber, Rice, Pineapples and any other labour intensive agro operations - These will benefit nt only large plantations but also the small subsistence farmer. Subsequently the Platform will also be able to cater for Logistics, Warehousing, Manufacturing, Oil&Gas, Aerospace, Security, Energy Mining etc. The most exciting application to arise from this Platform will be Safe Air Mobility (Rural & Urban) Capabilities that will accelerate the pace of growth of the Nation.