Field robotics in collaboration: Field Swarm gains momentum
- Apr 2
- 2 min read
The Feldschwarm Ecosystem research project enables agricultural machinery and robots to operate autonomously together. The manufacturer-independent platform allows for semi- to fully autonomous swarm operation while ensuring that humans remain in control at all times. The goal is to increase productivity and resource efficiency while ensuring seamless integration into existing agricultural IT systems.
Since 2023, the technology has been tested under real-world conditions, with the first public demonstrations taking place in 2025. At the core of the project are a scalable control and data architecture, standardized interfaces, and integrated safety and diagnostic systems. Numerous partners from industry and research contribute to its success with drones, sensor technologies, autonomy kits, tool diagnostics, and remote control solutions.
In the long term, the Feldschwarm Ecosystem is intended to be further developed and opened up to additional manufacturers. A detailed press release can be found here: Press release – Field Swarm gains momentum
About RUBIN – Bündnis Feldschwarm® Ökosystem
The Bündnis Feldschwarm® Ökosystem has consisted since 2021 of the following research partners: Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems, Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology, Technische Universität Dresden – Chair of Agricultural Systems Engineering, Technische Universität Dresden – Chair of Technical Design, and Leipzig University – Institute for Information Systems, as well as the following industry partners: BITSz electronics GmbH, Eidam Landtechnik GmbH, Estino GmbH, Hydrive Engineering GmbH, Indikar Individual Karosseriebau GmbH, LACOS GmbH, Lemken GmbH & Co. KG, and Reichhardt GmbH Steuerungstechnik.
With the RUBIN funding program, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research supports and strengthens strategic collaboration between companies as well as between companies, universities, and research institutions. In particular, regional business alliances develop innovations with high application potential.
The Feldschwarm® Ecosystem project is considered one of the most important current initiatives in agricultural engineering for securing future global food supply and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with a total project volume of €15 million, covering 70% of the costs.
