Prioritising R&D needs for mechatronic and data-dependent applications in Australian sugarcane

Sugarcane-production systems in Australia continue to evolve as on-farm practices and management strategies are tested and adopted. Mechatronic and data-dependent (MADD) applications offer novel ways of contributing to this process. Here we provide a summary of a paper delivered at the M2VIP Conference held at the University of Southern Queensland in December 2019. We indicated where MADD-related R&D opportunities exist within the different stages of a typical semi-irrigated one-year production system. These were ranked from currently available/being adopted to requiring R&D effort. They were classified according to complexity and estimated timeframe for successful outcomes. Several potential MADD applications were recognised as being possible in the shorter term using existing knowledge and technologies. Others were identified as being more complex and needing longer timeframes to produce workable outputs. The latter included (i) automated and robust sugar sensors to determine commercial cane sugar (CCS) at appropriate heights in the crop at harvest, and (ii) automated/semi-automated in-field robotic soil-test equipment. Irrespective of the level of complexity, comprehensive evaluation of MADD applications for use in sugarcane- production systems is needed to ensure that they are appropriate, reliable and robust. Key words Sugarcane production systems, mechatronic and data-dependent applications, RD&A opportunities