Autonomous Robot Pest Control with 5-DOF Arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural robot systems are unable to autonomously identify and control pests at different locations and heights without damaging crops, as they are limited to pest control below their structure and require human intervention for decision-making.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous robot platform equipped with georeferencing, cameras, artificial intelligence algorithms, and a control arm with five degrees of freedom, allowing for autonomous navigation and pest control at various heights and distances, using deep learning for image processing and real-time decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a mechanical cutter is used for weed removal, then automated weed removal is achieved, but the robot can only remove weeds when quite close to them, limiting its effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cutter system with a laser-based thermal removal system. The laser device can eliminate weeds at a distance without requiring the robot to be in direct contact with the target, thereby resolving the contradiction between automation and proximity requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser beam acts as an intermediary between the robot and the weed, transferring energy remotely to achieve weed removal. This intermediary mechanism allows the robot to operate from a distance while maintaining effective control over the target.
2Device complexity
If the control mechanism is installed below the robot structure parallel to the ground, then the robot structure is simplified, but it restricts control to pests located above the robot's lower structure only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an articulated arm with multiple degrees of freedom that can dynamically adjust its position and orientation. This dynamic structure allows the control mechanism to reach pests at various heights and locations while maintaining a simplified base robot structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated arm adds vertical and angular dimensions to the control mechanism's reach, transforming it from a ground-parallel configuration to a multi-dimensional positioning system that can access pests throughout the crop volume.
3Extent of automation
If existing robot systems are used for pest control, then they can operate autonomously, but they cannot identify and control pests at different heights and distances without damaging crops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into a single system: the articulated arm serves both for positioning the control mechanism and for reaching pests at various heights; the laser device provides both identification and control capabilities; the system can adapt to different crop stages and pest locations while maintaining autonomous operation.
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 fully autonomous pest identification and control across different crop heights and areas, reducing chemical usage and production losses while minimizing crop damage, with high energy efficiency and the ability to treat large areas.
Implementation Method 1
The invention also discloses a laser weed removal robot, based on a parallel mechanism of four degrees of freedom, which includes a mobile chassis, an image acquisition device, a laser, and a control system. The robot uses the thermal effect of the laser to remove weeds along crop rows and in areas around crop seedlings
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an autonomous robot platform for autonomously identifying and controlling crop pests, comprising: embedded artificial intelligence navigation and decision-making algorithms for identifying and controlling pests; servers embedded in a horizontal structural base (10); at least two front support elements (20) attached to the horizontal structural base (10), wherein each front support element has means of locomotion (40); at least two rear support elements (30) attached to the horizontal structural base (10), wherein each rear support element has means of locomotion (50); at least one control element (60) with five degrees of freedom, including three degrees of freedom of rotation and two degrees of freedom of translation, with, at least one 360 camera (110) and at least one among the following: a laser device (120) and suction pump (140); at least two lateral depth cameras (70); at least one use signaling device (80); and at least one positioning and locating device at the top of the horizontal structural base (10).