The University of Sunshine Coast is trialling a robotic sheepdog to help round up sheep, with farmers optimistic about the technology's potential.

Sunshine Coast

A robotic dog, dubbed 'RoboDog', is being trialled for sheep mustering on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. The project, led by mechatronics student Phil Halloran from the University of the Sunshine Coast, aims to determine if robotics can be effectively integrated into farm life. 

Initial tests show that RoboDog can mimic some traditional sheepdog behaviours, with farmers expressing openness and positivity about the technology's potential. The project is ongoing, with further challenges and refinements expected as the robot is tested in more complex agricultural settings, including a public demonstration at the ECHA.

Robotic sheepdog gets test run in Sunshine Coast

Down in the back paddock, another day of mustering sheep, but just a doggone minute, what's this? Let's call it RoboDog. Interesting to end up around sheep, working with robots, who would have thought? Robotic dogs aren't a new idea, putting them to work with sheep is. Trying to, as much as possible, mimic those lessons learned and apply them to the robot. The University of the Sunshine Coast has cut mechatronics student Phil Halloran loose to see if robotics and life on the farm can work. Mechatronics in the agriculture sector seems right for the picking. There's so much new technology coming out. On the ground with some nimble joystick work, and from above, it looks like a pretty smooth test run. All the challenges that the robot is going to face once we, for the particular application, and then we can go back and see how we can tackle those challenges. I've learned so much about how sheep herding works today, that now I can go off and it's going to direct my project. While Shaun the sheep's farmer may have ironed out all the RoboDog bugs. A thumbs up from farmers. They were really open to the idea, they were really positive to the potential. Or otherwise, may happen when the RoboDogs perform in the main arena at this year's ECHA. Tim Collins, 10 News.

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