Show HN: Sowbot – open-hardware agricultural robot (ROS2, RTK GPS)
Sowbot introduces an open-hardware agricultural robot designed to eliminate the "prototype gap" that often stalls agri-robotics startups and research. This project offers a comprehensive, modular platform with detailed schematics, firmware, and a robust ROS2-based software stack, democratizing access to advanced agricultural automation. It's a goldmine for anyone interested in open-source hardware, robotics, and practical AI applications in the field.
The Lowdown
The Sowbot project presents an ambitious open-hardware agricultural robot aiming to streamline the development cycle for agri-robotics. Many startups and research projects face an 18-month "prototype gap" consumed by foundational work like drivers, networking, and UI. Sowbot seeks to bridge this by providing a fully specified, open-source reference platform, allowing innovators to focus on their unique applications rather than reinventing core robotic infrastructure.
- Mission & Purpose: Sowbot's core mission is to enable sustainable and scalable agriculture through reproducible, lightweight robotics, minimizing labor and environmental impact without proprietary dependencies. It delivers a ready-to-use reference hardware design and a production-ready software stack.
- The "Open Core" (Brain): This central computing unit is built around a stackable 10cm x 10cm module featuring two ARM Cortex-A55 SBCs. One SBC handles real-time control, ROS 2 navigation, and EKF localization, while the other is dedicated to perception and AI tasks like YOLO inference. It integrates dual RTK GNSS for centimeter-level positioning, CAN bus for field communications, and real-time motor control via an ESP32. All schematics, PCB layouts, and firmware are openly licensed, housed in a rugged, waterproof enclosure.
- The "Sowbot" Body: The full-size robot body, currently a detailed Bill of Materials (BOM) awaiting assembly, is designed as a modular, open-hardware platform. It integrates high-performance motors, precise control mechanisms, long-lasting sodium-ion battery packs, and robust suspension for varied terrain, offering complete control over electronics, software, and mechanics.
- Development Platforms: Two smaller-scale development platforms, Sowbot Mini (1/4 scale) and Sowbot Pico, are available for testing and validation, though they are in various stages of assembly and firmware refinement.
- Comprehensive Software Stack: Lizard provides real-time robot orchestration. RoSys/Field Friend, an asyncio-based Python framework, offers a fast path for control loops and autonomous field operations. DevKit ROS is a full ROS-based development kit tailored for the Sowbot Platform, enabling standard ROS tooling and community interoperability.
- Current Status & Contribution: The Open Core is largely fabricated, while the full-size body's design is complete but not yet assembled. The project is openly seeking contributors for hardware, ROS, firmware, and documentation, fostering a collaborative development environment.
Sowbot stands as a significant step towards democratizing advanced agricultural robotics, providing a robust, open-source foundation that could accelerate innovation and reduce entry barriers in the field of sustainable farming.