A Chinese-built robot could help small-scale farmers carry out a host of field and yard tasks, including mowing, pellet spreading and spraying.

The fully electric R150-ATJ platform has a four-wheel drive system and a turning diameter of just 0.7m, thanks to its skid-steer- style movement.

The 48v lithium batteries offer a 30min runtime, and the company says that two batteries will keep the robot running continuously, with just a 15min recharge time from empty and ability to run in the dark, 24 hours a day.

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There are a number of autonomous modes for the R150: a “follow me” option, which, unsurprisingly allows the robot to follow the user around the yard, or an integrated RTK system with automated-route recording and the ability to repeat these trips again.

Operators can also run it autonomously in “shuttle” mode on pre-defined routes.

© Auto Spray Systems

Optional bodies include a 150kg box for loose items, such as hardcore or logs, and a 100-litre spraying jet pack which features twin rotating high-powered nozzles offering a 12m spray width – although this is probably better suited to applications outside agriculture and has been used to disinfect buildings in China.

However, there are attachments in development such as mowing decks, seeding units, spreading applicators and even a fixed spray boom that could be of interest to farmers.

The R150 is available now, at a starting price of £20,000, and will be distributed by Auto Spray Systems.