Mon Feb 17 11:10:00 UTC 2025: ## NEC and JA Obihiro Kawanishi Successfully Test Wireless Tech for Automated Farming

**Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan –** NEC Corporation has announced the successful completion of a field test demonstrating the potential of advanced wireless communication technologies to revolutionize agricultural practices. The experiment, conducted in collaboration with JA Obihiro Kawanishi (Obihiro Kawanishi Agricultural Cooperative) and agricultural machinery manufacturers, with support from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, showcased the use of new Wi-Fi standards, including HaLow, to control multiple pieces of farm equipment remotely.

The trial, held in November 2024 in Obihiro, Hokkaido, addressed the growing labor shortage in the agricultural sector. Using HaLow’s extended range capabilities, NEC successfully controlled four unmanned tractors simultaneously across a 500-meter square area. This overcomes the limited range of traditional Wi-Fi, a key hurdle to wider adoption of automated farming equipment.

Furthermore, the test incorporated drone imagery analysis using AI to assess crop conditions, such as rice growth. The use of Local 5G provided real-time high-definition video transmission.

NEC aims to deploy this technology commercially by fiscal year 2026, currently focusing on optimizing the placement of communication equipment. This initiative is expected to significantly improve the efficiency and productivity of agricultural operations in Japan, particularly in areas facing labor shortages. The success of this test highlights a significant step towards a more technologically advanced and efficient future for Japanese agriculture.

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