Farm droids could soon become common sight

21st century involves a robot using boiling water to weed crops.

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He said all of these need to be designed in “such a way that it is maintainable by a farmer themselves” because if a machine breaks during harvest they could lose their “entire income”.

They are also looking at how to optimise solar technology in Ireland, experimenting with vertical panels so that they can be installed in fields which are also being used for crops.

The project has teamed up with commercial organisations like Irish Distillers and Comex McKinnon to use the latest technology to create more sustainable grains.

The issues facing farmers in Ireland are “a great engineering challenge” said Una Parsons, upcoming president of Engineers Ireland.

Alongside a career in manufacturing and academia, she lives and works alongside her husband on an organic farm in Co Sligo.