Introduction
Stand count is a standard agricultural method used after row crop planting. By counting the crop number and condition, farmers can evaluate the crop germination for deciding whether to replant or not, evaluate seed quality, and know precisely how many plants they will be able to harvest. However, farmers still lack precise and effective technology for stand counting. Thus, we designed a robot and relevant service for Beck's Hybrid to do this method easier, faster, and better.
Persona
First, we gathered the industrial data from USDA and customer reviews from Beck's Hybrid, then created a typical persona for further design:
Idea Exploration
Stand Count Robot "Becky"
Considering the huge average size of row crop farms and the requirement for precise data, we designed a robot named "Becky" to do this job. We installed the RTK (Real Time Kinematic) system for precise location data, infrared sensors for precise stand counting, and cameras for stable field working. Based on the estimate, 10 Beckies can cover a 1000-acre field in 9 hrs for precision seed count.
Considering the huge average size of row crop farms and the requirement for precise data, we designed a robot named "Becky" to do this job. We installed the RTK (Real Time Kinematic) system for precise location data, infrared sensors for precise stand counting, and cameras for stable field working. Based on the estimate, 10 Beckies can cover a 1000-acre field in 9 hrs for precision seed count.
Besides, we designed a cluster collaboration function. Using the control terminal application, one person could operate multiple Beckies to do the stand count, significantly improving work efficiency when facing the vast farm area. After stand counting, Beckies will be collected to Beck's Hybrid data center for further data analysis and report generation.
Robot Counting Service
After the ideation of Becky, we focused on resolving 2 critical problems for farmers: High Price and Difficult in learning. Due to high precision and strength requirements, Becky is too expensive for only a few times usage in a year, and it is hard to operate for a middle-aged farmer with relatively low learning ability compared to young people. Thus, we designed a service, which encouraged our users to rent instead of buying Becky, and set Becky through our professional engineer, to reduce the price and improve the experience:
After the ideation of Becky, we focused on resolving 2 critical problems for farmers: High Price and Difficult in learning. Due to high precision and strength requirements, Becky is too expensive for only a few times usage in a year, and it is hard to operate for a middle-aged farmer with relatively low learning ability compared to young people. Thus, we designed a service, which encouraged our users to rent instead of buying Becky, and set Becky through our professional engineer, to reduce the price and improve the experience:
User called customer center for assistance
Center scheduled with Becky engineer
Engineer arrived and set Becky for user
Becky started unmanned counting
User checked the progress by mobile devices
Data scientist generated detailed report later
System Map
The system map shows how the stand count service work.
Business Model Canvas
At last, we developed our business model canvas and designed our three revenue streams. First, we allow our users to adjust the number of Becky in a stand count - if they want to use more Beckies and spend less time to get results, they could pay more than the economical solution to achieve it; Second, we divided data service to two types - Quantity (only the number of the crop) and Quantity plus Quality (including the condition of the crop), the user could select the type of data report based on their actual requirement and budget; Third, we set up an annual membership fee and provide discounts for multiple usages. For promotion, we will also provide a free trial for users, send salesman and advertise on multiple media platforms.
