Researchers develop a four-wheeled orthogonal two-axis robot to maintain plants grown under solar panels
Syncoculture, a new farming method, involves growing mixed plant species together at high densities. However, since various seeds with different growing seasons and growth rates are planted on the same land, complicated work is required. To address this need, researchers have developed robots that can sow, prune, and harvest plants in dense, grown vegetation. Its small, flexible body lends itself to large-scale cinematic culture. This is an important step towards achieving sustainable agriculture and carbon neutrality.
Symbiotic cultivation is proposed by Dr. Masatoshi Funabashi, Senior Researcher at Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc. (Sony CSL). It is a new farming method that establishes rich biodiversity while -Ecosystem organizing capacity. However, such dense vegetation requires frequent maintenance. You have to sow the seeds, prune the weeds, and harvest the crops. Symbiotic cultures therefore require a high degree of ecological literacy and complex decision-making. Although the operational problems present in Synecoculture can be addressed using agricultural robots, most existing robots are only capable of automating one of the three tasks mentioned above in simple farmland environments. Synecoculture is practiced. In addition, robots can contact plants unnecessarily and damage them, affecting their growth and harvest.
With growing awareness of environmental issues, this gap between human performance and that of traditional robots is spurring innovation to improve the latter.
A research group led by Assistant Professor Takuya Otani of Waseda University has collaborated with Sustaenergy and Sony CSL to design a new robot capable of effective synecoculture. This robot is called “SynRobo”, and “syn” means “together” with humans. We manage a variety of mixed plants in the underutilized space of the shade of the solar panels. An article about their research was published in Nogaku Vol. 13, No. 1, dated December 21, 2022. This article was co-authored by Professor Atsuo Takanishi, also of Waseda University, other researchers at Sony CSL, and Waseda University students.
Ohtani briefly describes the novel robot design. “It has a four-wheel mechanism that allows it to move over uneven terrain, and a robotic arm that extends and retracts to help it climb over obstacles. The robot can navigate slopes and avoid small steps. The system also uses a 360° camera to perceive and manipulate its surroundings, and is equipped with a variety of agricultural tools such as anchors (for drilling holes), pruning shears, and harvesters. The position is adjusted using an orthogonal axis table that can move horizontally with the arm.”
In addition to these unique features, researchers have also invented techniques for efficient seeding. They coated the seeds of different plants with soil to create balls of equal size. These have a consistent shape and size so that the robot can easily sow seeds from multiple plants. Additionally, an easy-to-use, human-controlled steering system was developed to facilitate the robot’s functionality. The system assists in manipulating tools, implementing automatic seeding, and switching between tasks.
Due to its small and flexible body, the new robot was able to sow, prune and harvest in dense vegetation while minimizing contact with the environment during the task. allowed the robot to avoid obstacles 50% better while moving 49% faster than a simple controller.
“This research has led to the development of agricultural robots that can function in environments where multiple species of plants grow in close proximity,” says Otani. “It can be widely used not only in general farming but also in synecoculture. If you want to handle different plants, you just need to change the tool. In addition, its farming operations data will help automate the maneuvering system so that the robot can assist farming in a variety of environments.In fact, the Sustainergy Company is now bringing this innovation to Japan. We are preparing to commercialize it on abandoned farmland in Kenya and desert areas in Kenya.”
Such advances will facilitate synecoculture agriculture that combines renewable energy and help solve a variety of pressing issues, including climate change and the energy crisis. Current research is an important step towards achieving sustainable agriculture and carbon neutrality. Expect smart and skillful robots that efficiently support large-scale cinematic culture!
Original: Seeding, pruning, and harvesting robots for synecoculture
Than: Waseda University
