Crop Scanning With Radar and Stem Imaging for Pre-Harvest Sizing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing crops grown underground, such as tubers and root vegetables, are inaccurate and require harvesting to assess the entire crop, lacking the ability to provide information before harvesting.
Innovation Solution
A crop scanning system using ground penetrating radar and imaging to determine parameters of underground harvestable items, combining scan data with above-ground imagery to predict size and count stems/meristems, aligning data geographically for accurate analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sample-based analysis is used for underground crops, then analysis can be performed without harvesting the entire crop, but measurement precision deteriorates because it is not possible to determine whether samples are representative of the entire crop
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it scans underground harvestable items to determine their size and position, captures images of above-ground stems and meristems, and uses both datasets together to predict crop parameters. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for sample-based analysis while maintaining high measurement precision through comprehensive whole-crop assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from traditional single-dimension sample analysis to multi-dimensional whole-crop analysis by combining underground radar scan data with above-ground optical image data. This dimensional expansion allows comprehensive assessment of the entire crop without harvesting, resolving the contradiction between productivity and measurement precision.
2Ease of operation
If visual inspection of above-ground crop parts is used, then ease of operation improves, but measurement precision deteriorates because generalisations and inaccuracies occur when inferring underground crop properties
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges two previously separate approaches: direct visual inspection of above-ground parts and indirect radar scanning of underground parts. By combining these methods and integrating their respective datasets, the system maintains the ease of non-invasive operation while achieving high measurement precision through complementary data from both above and below ground.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ground-penetrating radar as an intermediary to bridge the gap between easily observable above-ground crop features and the hidden underground harvestable items. The radar acts as a mediator that translates above-ground positional information into accurate underground crop characterization without requiring physical sampling or harvesting.
3Measurement precision
If ground penetrating radar is used to scan underground harvestable items, then measurement precision improves for underground crop parameters, but device complexity increases due to the need to combine multiple scanning systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the crop assessment task into two independent but complementary components: underground scanning using ground-penetrating radar and above-ground imaging using optical cameras. By dividing the overall system into separate functional modules that can be independently optimized and maintained, the complexity is managed while achieving high measurement precision through the integration of specialized subsystems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise determination of crop parameters in situ, improving accuracy and enabling informed pre-harvest actions like fertilization and harvesting timing.
Implementation Method 1
The scanning device being configured to emit a ground penetrating radar signal or pulse and to generate scan data including a representation of the harvestable items
Implementation Method 2
an imaging system configured to capture an image of a part of the crop which is above the ground surface and to generate image data including a representation of one or more stems and/or meristems
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A crop scanning system for determining a parameter associated with a plurality of harvestable items of a crop, the harvestable items being beneath a ground surface, the crop scanning system including: a scanning head assembly including at least one scanning device configured to perform a scanning operation in relation to the harvestable items, the scanning device being configured to emit a ground penetrating radar signal or pulse and to generate scan data including a representation of the harvestable items; an imaging system configured to capture an image of a part of the crop which is above the ground surface and to generate image data including a representation of one or more stems associated with the harvestable items; and an analysis system configured to use the scan data and the image data to determine the parameter associated with the harvestable items, wherein the at least one parameter includes a predicted size of the harvestable items.