A groundbreaking agricultural robot system designed to automate rice and corn planting was showcased at the International Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities Exposition and Networking Engagement (iSCENE 2025) in Cauayan City, Isabela.
The innovation, known as the Agricultural Robot – Tomasino Innovation Systems (AGROTIS), transforms conventional hand tractors into remotely controlled machines that can operate simultaneously in the field.
Thaynie Princes Enclonar, a research specialist, told Bombo Radyo Cauayan that AGROTIS was developed by Dr. Anthony James Bautista of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila.
The system aims to significantly reduce manual labor by allowing a single operator to control up to five tractors remotely, eliminating the need for farmers to endure intense heat while working.
AGROTIS works by connecting the robot system to commercially available hand tractors commonly used by local farmers.
In addition to AGROTIS, researchers from Central Luzon State University also presented a project called PEST D-TECH, a robot-based detection system that can assess the health of crops using drones.
Researcher Arvin Ian C. Yanguas explained that PEST D-TECH does not include the drone itself but provides a system that can be installed to detect pest-infested or damaged areas across vast fields.
The system automatically flags unhealthy crops by displaying red signals on the monitor, allowing farmers to take targeted action using appropriate treatments.
These technologies aim to empower farmers through automation and data-driven solutions, enhancing productivity and sustainability in Philippine agriculture.