How does the Efarm.pro demining machine work?

Alexander Prykhodchenko, the CEO of the startup, shared with ShoTam how the idea of developing a demining tractor emerged, the precision of the unmanned complex, and its social mission to make Ukrainian fields safe.

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Our initial developments included navigation systems for tractors and sprayers, referred to as "field assistants." These systems assist in field work with greater precision, avoiding overlaps and gaps, ultimately helping farmers increase their yields.

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Over the years, we've managed to reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere by one and a half million tons, contributing to the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly agriculture.

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During the full-scale war, many employees were in Ukraine, some in occupied territories, while I was in Kyiv. Despite the challenging times, we believed in better scenarios, so I decided to stay in the capital.

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The day after the invasion began, we received a call from a farmer who ordered a guidance system based on a neighbor's recommendation. The farmer explained that the fields he needed to sow were mined. Despite the danger, he had to work in March, the sowing season.

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Gradually, with the team, we started thinking about how farmers could work on mined fields, realizing the inherent dangers. That's when we decided to develop our demining tractor to eliminate human involvement in this risky work.

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With substantial experience in autopilots and navigation systems successfully used in Ukrainian fields, we were inspired to create a device that would eliminate the risk for people in mined areas. The primary task was to develop a machine capable of withstanding the impact of mine explosions.

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We see that agricultural experience can be useful in demining territories. Simple methods that helped farmers increase yields can be applied to demining using modern digital navigation technologies. We propose the following stages:

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Use of a drone: Initially, to enter the field, we treat it with herbicides to eliminate shrubs.

Field scanning: The drone equipped with sensors and a function to transmit precise coordinates locates antitank mines, detecting explosives up to one meter deep.

Digital mapping: We digitize the contaminated areas of the field, creating an accurate map of the explosive devices' locations.

Certified sappers: Sappers go to the affected area and clear the territory of mines.

Use of robot hands: Robots assist sappers in demining.

Launch of the autopilot demining tractor: The machine includes protective equipment designed to neutralize mines. We are working on an improved version of the protection system.

Our universal autopilot system excludes the presence of a tractor driver. This allows us to work with precision up to 2 cm, achieved through Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) technology, providing accurate satellite positioning information.

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After sappers finish their work, sometimes untreated areas of the field remain, potentially becoming traps. Tractor drivers often faced explosions and injuries due to mines, sometimes buried half a meter deep. In our case, it is possible to operate the machine while staying at the edge of the field.

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On the basis of tractors, we can create trailer equipment that takes the main blow during an explosion. In the future, these machines can assist in demining not only fields for cultivation but also other territories.

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Currently, our project is self-funded, and we are seeking donors who can compensate the cost of tractors for farmers. Our social mission is to make the field safe and provide the opportunity for agrarians to continue working on Ukrainian land. We are also open to collaboration with leading agricultural drone manufacturers to combine our technologies and knowledge. Together, we can change the approach to demining territories, providing sappers with accurate and reliable information about affected areas.