Multifunctional robotic system for domestic agricultural applications

Abstract

It is common to find gardens or orchards with different plant species in houses and urban areas.Depending on the crop, a different monitoring and demand is required for their care, and according to the availability of time, it may also lead to neglecting the plants. Another reality is that many times it is the elderly who are in charge of the maintenance of the orchards and gardens, complicating their work if they suffer from some motor limitations. One solution to this problem is to develop a robotic system that can perform various functions and carry out the corresponding program according to the crop identified by means of artificial vision. This study implements a robotic system based on a Farmbot mechanical structure, which is a device -open source- both in hardware and software that allows modifications to be made in any of its implementation stages in order to obtain a more efficient version to solve specific problems. First, the mechanical and electrical structure of the robot is implemented, ensuring smooth robot movement. Second, the electronic and artificial vision system is installed, calibrating and configuring it so that it allows communication via Internet, quality control and an adequate power supply to the engines. Third, efficient work programs are designed so that the robot can perform different agricultural functions automatically by executing the same program or recognize a crop by means of artificial vision and carry out the corresponding program for the crop. Finally, different applications in the automated orchard are shown.