Description of work:
We have had several meetings with farmers. These meetings has been organized as structured interviews, informal talks and group meetings with several farmers at the same time. This has been a time consuming task, but the result is a good understanding of the farmers practice and how our product can be integrated in their work. Because of this work, we have made several adjustments to our design which has been key to the development of the robot.
Risk analyses has been performed through several sessions. These sessions has allowed us to perform targeted and focused actions in the project to reduce risk in the areas standing out as crucial.
We have performed studies of the supply chain for agronomical equipment with focus on Germany. To do this we have been supported by expertise from Innovation Norway in Germany and our assigned coach. This work has resulted in a strategy for the distribution of our product in the future.
Our robot has been tested at Norwegian farms, handling weeds in carrot and rutabaga fields. The tests has been monitored by scientists and compared the to conventional weed handling. The results are very positive.
We have reached out to different potential partners as chemical companies, part production companies, research communities, farming advisors and farmers. We have partnered up with several farmers and a production company to produce the first series of the product. These partners will be really important the next years to make the functionality, availability and the pricing of the product optimal.
A product life cycle analysis with the coach and GAP analysis focusing on organization development, through product life cycle has been performed. This has resulted in the discovery of a series of potential weaknesses in our organization that needs to be improved in the coming period
The regulations and the implications this will/can have on the execution of the project has been a concern. Through studies of the regulations, and design choices based on risk analyses have resulted in the conclusion that the product can be approved within the current legislation.