Pilots in the field
Functional prototype in validation for real agricultural applications
Brazilian agricultural robotics · Prototype under field validation
Less heavy work, more automation in the field
A 4×4 electric, modular robotic platform in field validation, developed to support tasks such as mowing, localized spraying, light transport and monitoring between crop rows.
Electric 4×4 operation
Modular base for mowing, spraying, light transport, and monitoring.
Awarded technology
Brazilian innovation recognized to support family farming.
Evolution Roadmap
Development plan to advance autonomy and operational use.
Operational efficiency compared
Caatinga Rover versus current alternatives
See how assisted teleoperation and the autonomous goal compare to manual operation and the small tractor in tasks such as localized spraying, inter-row mowing, and crop monitoring.
Localized spraying Row-to-row mowing Crop monitoring Light transport and new implements
Manual operation
Reference- Speed
- 0,4–0,6 ha/h
- Operational cost
- R$ 180–250 per ha
- Human intervention
- ~3,5 hrs/ha
- Operational risk
- High
Compact tractor
Comparison- Speed
- 0,8–1,1 ha/h
- Operational cost
- R$ 130–180 per ha
- Human intervention
- ~0,8 hrs/ha
- Operational risk
- Medium
Assisted teleoperation
Current configuration- Speed
- 0,8–1,2 ha/h
- Operational cost
- R$ 95–130 per ha
- Human intervention
- ~0,5 hrs/ha
- Operational risk
- Low
Autonomous waypoint
Development goal- Speed
- 1,2–1,8 ha/h
- Operational cost
- R$ 60–95 per ha
- Human intervention
- ~0,1 hrs/ha
- Operational risk
- Low
How to read these numbers
Would you like to apply these figures to your situation? Request a technical assessment →T0–T3 represent operating modes and not TRL levels. The values were provided by the project as a scenario reference. T2 describes the current teleoperated configuration; T3 is a target not yet validated. The result may vary depending on implement, crop, terrain, and test protocol, with no guarantee of cost or performance.
In field validation · scenario simulated by you
Understand the automation potential for your operation
Provide your own costs and see in real time the estimated automation potential for repetitive tasks. It is your scenario hypothesis — not a promise of savings, price, or timeline, since the Caatinga Rover remains in technical validation.
After testing the numbers, request a technical assessment to understand how they apply to your real context.
Open full simulatorThe challenge
Lack of people, heavy workloads in the field
Family farming comprises 3,897,408 establishments in Brazil and employs 10.1 million people, according to the 2017 Agricultural Census. In this scenario, labor shortages add to repetitive and heavy tasks, worker exposure to physical strain and to agricultural chemicals, rising operating costs, and the difficulty of mechanizing small and medium plots.
The Caatinga Rover is designed to address this scenario with modular automation: a robotic base that accepts different implements and adapts to the crop, terrain, and operational needs of each property.
Source: IBGE, Agricultural Census 2017
Current focusValidate before scaling
For task and sector
Automate what costs the most in your operation
Row-to-row mowing
Reduces the physical effort of one of the most repetitive field tasks. The robot operates between crop rows, freeing workers for higher-value activities.
Localized spraying
Applies pesticides with greater precision and reduces the worker's direct exposure to the product — one of the top operational risks on small properties.
Light transport
Moves inputs, tools and harvests within the property, eliminating repetitive manual trips on irregular terrain.
Crop monitoring
Traverses crop rows and records images to support management decisions — without the producer having to walk the entire area.
Management on solar farms
The first pilot tested vegetation control under solar modules, reducing manual work. Still in initial validation — no commercial offering at this stage.
Agricultural research and innovation
The modular platform is open for technical and agronomic tests with universities, institutes, and cooperatives that want to build application protocols.
Technological transparency
What is already working, what we are validating and what comes next
Functional prototype
4×4 electric chassis, solar support, remote control and initial implements already in field tests.
Engineering and validation
We are moving from prototyping to controlled field validations: navigation, safety, sensing and agronomic validation of the implements, seeking partners and test sites.
Commercial scale
Large-scale production will be evaluated only after technical qualification, applicable certification, and operational demonstration with partners.
Tests applications
A robotic base for different repetitive field tasks
Family farming remains the main focus, with applications such as inter-row mowing, localized spraying, light transport, and crop monitoring. A first pilot also tested the robot in vegetation management at a solar plant—a complementary market, still in early validation, monitored by research institutions as part of the validation strategy.
First pilot
Vegetation management in solar plants
Initial pilot for vegetation control under the photovoltaic modules, reducing manual cutting; performance, safety and durability are still under validation, with no commercial offer at this stage.
Current focus
Family farming
Validation of the platform and mower implement between rows, localized spraying, light transport, and real-field monitoring.
Proof and confidence
100% Brazilian technology, created for family farming
Solar-powered electric vehicle for spraying and mowing, authored by João de Moura Cardoso, was one of 20 inventions awarded in the 1st National Contest for Inventions focused on Family Farming, among 242 registrations.
Development plan
From where we are to where we want to go
Proposed technical plan. It does not represent approved funding or an available commercial product.
- Today✔ Functional prototype
- Pilots in the field✔ Producers and cooperatives
- Expanded validation✔ Different crops
- Technical qualification✔ Safety and reliability
- Commercial preparation✔ Platform production
- Scale✔ New markets
Building with those who know the field
Science, extension services, and producers in the validation process
The proposal foresees collaboration with Embrapa, IFCE Fortaleza, IFCE Tauá, Ematerce, and family farming cooperatives. Technical and institutional responsibilities depend on formal instruments still under construction; therefore, these organizations are not presented as confirmed partners.
Learn about the proposed method and responsibilities →Future access
Understand the complete access strategy →How you will access the Caatinga Rover
Direct acquisition
Purchase of the platform after technical qualification, applicable certification and production definition — not yet available.
Shared use
Model to be structured with cooperatives and associations to reduce the investment barrier.
Robot as a service
Operation on demand to be tested in pilots. Ideal for those who want to validate the benefit before deciding on acquisition.
Technical assessment and partnership
Join the validation programWant to evaluate the Caatinga Rover in your area?
Producers, cooperatives, research institutions, companies, and innovation projects can request contact for demonstrations, technical field validation, or partnership.