"The real-world impact of this collaboration is evident in Zetifi's successful development and commercialisation of the ZetiRover—a roaming WiFi hotspot for vehicles and farm machinery. This product stands as a testament to the practical applications of cutting-edge research and development."
Dan Winson, Zetifi
Lack of on-farm connectivity is the single greatest barrier to improving productivity and sustainability in Australian agriculture.
Farmers increasingly rely on high-level data analytics, automation and networks of devices that talk to each other. But getting WiFi coverage to run these devices over vast distances and line-of-sight obstacles is a major challenge.
This project developed antenna arrays that can be fitted to mobile and stationary farming equipment to provide long-range communication.
Tractors and trucks become roving WiFi devices with a range of up to five kilometres, providing farm-wide coverage. The technology will be a combination of adapted off-the-shelf and bespoke solutions.
The new technology was built for Australian conditions and trialled at the Global Digital Farm in Wagga Wagga, NSW.
July 2025 - Blog, UTS: Smart antennas spot-on for connecting the Australian bush
January 2024 - Final Report: Farm-wide WiFi
October 2023 - Food Agility Excellence Awards: 'Research to Innovation'
October 2023 - Digital Agrifood Summit, Presentation: Innovation Showcase, A/Prof Negin Shariati, Dan Winson
February 2023 - Food Agility Reseaerch Symposium, Presentation: Farm-wide WiFi, Dan Winson, Zetifi
January 2022 - Article, Beef Central: Hopes for Farm-wide WiFi in 18 months
October 2021 - Media Release: Breakthrough tech to provide farm-wide WiFi
