Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) will provide field workers with effective support to exponentially reduce physical burden and boost operational efficiencies.
KUALA LUMPUR, 20TH March 2024 – The Agritech Enabler IRGA announced today that it will be engaging in a joint-development initiative with HSS Propick, a technology developer specialising in digital solutions and drone technologies for the agricultural sector. The companies will be working closely together to develop a range of solutions to boost plantation productivity by leveraging on potentials within the Autonomous technology segment.
HSS Propick, which features the combined resources of HSS Engineers Berhad and Propick Digital Solutions, brings their expertise in the development of advanced technology-driven solutions for clients across a range of sectors including construction, healthcare and agriculture. The company specialises in the development of digital solutions which leverage on smart monitoring and AI technologies as well drone systems that provide geographic site mapping and surveillance capabilities. HSS Propick has been developing UGV solutions for the agriculture sector over the past few years and have gained considerable insight into the effective deployment of the technology to meet the needs of agribusiness clients.
IRGA Group and its subsidiaries IRGA Engineering and Kingoya Technologies have been working towards a vision of developing a complete ecosystem of cutting-edge technology-driven solutions which leverage on digital and mechanised innovations to support the agricultural sector sustainably boost its productivity levels. The Group has invested considerable resources in determining key areas on plantation and farming operations, such as in-field harvesting and goods transportation, that could benefit from the infusion of targeted technological solutions development.
The collaborative arrangement between IRGA and HSS Propick will allow the two companies to combine key strengths in digital technology solutions and manufacturing towards the development of a specialised line of Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) with the capacity to improve the efficiency of in-field operational activities. The UGV machines are intended to support plantation field workers by alleviating the physical burden involved in handling agricultural materials, thereby supporting better performance outcomes.
Harish Subramaniam, Chief Digital Officer of IRGA Engineering and head of its R&D initiatives commented on the significant role that autonomous technologies can play in boosting performance within the agricultural sector. “Autonomous technology solutions have been increasingly adopted across industrial sectors in recent years to improve operational activities and boost productivity. Such systems have been widely utilised within the manufacturing sector in the form of robotics technologies to support the assembly and development of integral products such as electronic equipment and automobiles. Their infusion into the agricultural sector is simply a natural evolutionary step to support the industry meet increasingly challenging targets surrounding global demand for food supplies.” Harish hails from a background specialising in the delivery of sophisticated manufacturing solutions for key industrial sectors.
In discussing the deployment of its planned line of UGV products with IRGA, CEO of HSS Propick, Sreenath Gadicheria said that “the collaborative agreement between IRGA and HSS Propick is expected to roll out its first line of autonomous solutions by Q1 of 2025. With the support of IRGA Engineering’s R&D and manufacturing capabilities, we are confident that we will be able to deliver a line of solutions that will equip plantation companies with the necessary tools to transition towards a more a resource efficient and productive sector. One that is able to sustainability meet increasing demands for high-quality agricultural products and which support long-term goals associated with food security and climate change. “
Autonomous technological applications have seen increased adoption within the agricultural sector in recent years. In 2022, the Global Autonomous Farm Equipment Market Size was valued at US 72.3 billion. Growing at CAGR of 10.2% between 2022 and 2023, the market is expected to reach USD 192.1 billion by 2032.
For more information about the collaboration between IRGA and HSS Propick, please contact:
IRGA SDN. BHD.
Website: www.irga.ag
HSS PROPICK TECHNOLOGIES SDN. BHD.
Website: www.propick.com.my