The AgriRover: a reinvented mechatronic platform from space robotics for precision farming

Xiu Tian Yan, Alessandro Bianco, Cong Niu, Roberto Palazzetti, Gwenole Henry, Youhua Li, Wayne Tubby, Aron Kisdi, Rain Irshad, Stephen Sanders, Robin Scott

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Abstract

This paper presents an investigation of a novel development of a multi-functional mobile platform for agriculture applications. This is achieved through a reinven-tion process of a mechatronic design by spinning off space robotic technologies in terrestrial applications in the AgriRover project. The AgriRover prototype is the first of its kind in exploiting and applying space robotic technologies in precision farming. To optimize energy consumption of the mobile platform, a new dynamic total cost of transport algorithm is proposed and validated. An autonomous navi-gation system has been developed to enable the AgriRover to operate safely in unstructured farming environments. An object recognition algorithm specific to agriculture- has been investigated and implemented. A novel soil sample collect-ing mechanism has been designed and prototyped for on-board and in-situ soil quality measurement. The design of the whole system has benefited from the use of a mechatronic design process known as the Tiv model through which a plane-tary exploration rover is reinvented into the AgriRover for agricultural applica-tions. The AgriRover system has gone through three sets of field trials in the UK and some of these results are reported.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationReinventing Mechatronics
Subtitle of host publicationDeveloping Future Directions for Mechatronics
EditorsXiu T Yan, David Bradley, David Russell, Philip Moore
Place of PublicationSwitzerland
PublisherSpringer
Number of pages19
ISBN (Print)9783030291310
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2019

Keywords

  • mechatronic design
  • reinvention
  • agricultuiral robotics

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