Starting now, new ultramodern Trimble Technology Labs will give CFAES students a jump-start on using agricultural solutions hardware and software.
Earlier this year, CFAES received a gift from Trimble to establish the labs, the largest philanthropic gift-in-kind investment to the college.
Located both on the Columbus campus and at Ohio State ATI on the CFAES Wooster campus, the labs enhance teaching, research, and outreach activities in food and agricultural engineering, construction management, and natural resources. The labs are the first to include Trimble agricultural solutions.
Students can use customized classroom training workstations that simulate using Trimble agricultural hardware and software such as machine guidance control and steering, and field leveling and water management systems. The workstations allow students to interact with technology in classrooms and the field.
“The Trimble Technology Labs will become indispensable as we prepare students for the technology-driven careers of the future in agriculture, construction, and natural resources,” said Scott Shearer, professor and chair, CFAES Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. “In addition, these labs enhance the land-grant mission of Ohio State by placing state-of-the-arts geospatial tools in the hands of researchers and Extension professionals to enhance the management of agriculture and natural resources statewide.”
The labs support outreach programs and agricultural professional training programs to re-equip Ohio farmers and agricultural professionals in the adoption of new technologies to increase agricultural output while preserving environmental quality.
The labs also include components of Trimble’s broad Connected Construction portfolio, which enables professionals along the project lifecycle to bring collaboration, accuracy, and repeatability to the office and the field.
“The Trimble gift is an investment in experiential learning and practical skills training, which benefit our faculty and students and also foster innovation and progress in industries that rely on cutting-edge technologies,” said Kris Boone, assistant dean and director at Ohio State ATI. “This gift strengthens our partnership with Trimble and increases our ability to develop and deliver workforce training and credentials in the agricultural technology space.”
The labs include a broad range of Trimble’s industry-leading geospatial and construction solutions such as the Trimble XR10 HoloLens hardhat, robotic total stations, 3D scanners, and GNSS systems. Advanced software solutions include eCognition geospatial analysis software; RealWorks scanning software; TerraFlex Advanced GIS data collection; Trimble Access field software; Trimble Business Center Infrastructure Construction edition; Tekla Structures; Tekla Structural Designer; Trimble Connect collaboration software; Estimation MEP; FieldLink Office; Quadri; SysQue; and the company’s popular 3D modeling software, SketchUp Pro and SketchUp Studio.
Daryl Matthews, Trimble senior vice president, said, “Ohio State is an educational leader in producing innovative research and top-level graduates in agriculture and construction. In addition, we have many Ohio State alumni who work on teams across Trimble’s businesses, and we have a significant presence in Ohio with our operations. Supporting their important work by providing advanced technologies will help fuel their programs to develop professionals for the future.”