NTT, Inc., Kubota Corporation, and NTT DOCOMO, INC. have successfully demonstrated stable communications and continuous video transmission for robotic agricultural machinery in mountainous regions, marking a significant step toward fully autonomous farming operations.
The joint experiment utilized a combination of mobile and satellite communications to ensure stable connectivity and video control technology to maintain video quality critical for vehicle operation. This approach addresses the challenges posed by fluctuating communication conditions in hilly and mountainous areas, which constitute about 40% of Japan's cultivated land.
The demonstration applied multipath control using multiple communication links, supplementing mobile networks with satellite connections to stabilize communications. Video compression was automatically adjusted based on available bandwidth, prioritizing image quality in essential areas like travel paths and crops.
NTT provided the wireless quality prediction technology and multi-link control, while Kubota supplied the robotic machinery and demonstration fields. DOCOMO contributed video control technology, ensuring preserved image quality in critical areas.
The technologies showcased in this project aim to enhance the practicality of remote operation and monitoring of robotic agricultural machinery, contributing to the realization of sustainable, data-driven agriculture in Japan and internationally.
Looking forward, NTT plans to further promote solutions to social challenges using satellite technologies under its NTT C89 brand. The technology is scheduled to be exhibited at the Tsukuba Forum 2026.