Remote Robotic Vertical Farming for Access and Sterile Cultivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical farming systems face challenges such as the need for ladders or forklifts to access high plant locations, loss of space due to ladder access, vulnerability to pathogens, complexity and time loss from sterilization, and limited deployment to areas with available labor.
Innovation Solution
A cultivation system with a robotic arm and enclosed spaces, using a headset and glasses for visualization, ultraviolet sterilization, and AI-controlled operations, allowing remote management and pathogen prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If vertical farming reaches up to 10 meters in height to save space, then space efficiency is improved, but access to plants becomes dangerous and requires ladders or forklifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical access (ladders, forklifts) with an automated robotic system. A robotic arm with gripper, controlled by a computer, automatically navigates to plant locations, performs tasks like harvesting and pruning, and returns tools to storage. This eliminates the need for human operators to physically access high locations, resolving the contradiction between vertical space utilization and plant accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If rows of plants are arranged with minimum 1m spacing for human movement, then accessibility is improved, but farm space is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human mechanical movement through the farm with an automated robotic system. The robotic arm can reach plants in all rows without requiring physical corridors for human operators. This eliminates the need for 1m spacing between rows, maximizing the usable farm area while maintaining full accessibility to all plants through automated navigation and positioning.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sterilization chamber is added to prevent plant contamination in soilless cultivation, then pathogen protection is improved, but device complexity and time loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sterilization function from a separate chamber and integrates it directly into the robotic system. The robotic arm carries a sterilization device (such as UV-C LED or plasma generator) that can be positioned directly at plant locations for localized treatment. This eliminates the need for a separate sterilization chamber and complex infrastructure, reducing device complexity while maintaining pathogen protection through targeted, on-demand sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system performs sterilization autonomously as part of its routine operations. The sterilization device is integrated into the robotic arm, allowing it to treat plants, tools, and surfaces automatically during normal farm activities without requiring separate manual intervention or complex external systems. This self-service approach reduces both device complexity and operational time.
4Adaptability or versatility
If local farmers are trained to operate farms in diverse locations, then deployment flexibility is improved, but deployment is limited to countries with available labor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human operators with an automated robotic system controlled by a computer program. The robotic arm, gripper, and associated systems can be remotely controlled or operate autonomously, eliminating the need for local farmers to be present or trained. This enables farm deployment in any location worldwide, including areas with unfavorable climates or limited labor availability, while maintaining full operational capability through automated systems.
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 safe, space-efficient, and labor-free farming with reduced pathogen risk, enabling deployment in diverse locations and remote management of multiple farms worldwide.
Implementation Method 1
the drawer preferably also comprising sterilization means arranged to sterilize the container of the drawer, preferably by ultraviolet radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a growing system, comprising: - at least one growing space comprising: * different locations for plants, * a robotic arm provided with at least one tool * moving means arranged to move the robotic arm between said different locations - electronic and/or computerised communication means, - a remote control station which is at a distance from the at least one growing space and comprises control means arranged to control the robotic arm in each growing space via the communication means, the control means being arranged to control the moving means so as to move the robotic arm in said growing space between the different locations in the growing space and/or to control actions of the robotic arm in said growing space. The invention also relates to the corresponding method.