Wearable-Guided Harvest Robot for Vineyard Material Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural robots are not economically viable or robust enough for widespread use in vineyards due to high costs and limitations in handling irregular terrain and varying weather conditions, making them inefficient for tasks like grape harvesting and transport, which require both precision and durability.
Innovation Solution
A collaborative robotic system comprising a processing unit, a robotic device with movement means, weighing sensors, and image acquisition tools, along with a secondary locating device worn by the user, allowing the robot to autonomously follow and assist the operator in tasks like harvesting and transport, reducing physical effort and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If autonomous robotic systems are deployed for agricultural tasks, then productivity and precision are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system is divided into modular functional units: autonomous navigation module with sensors, robotic manipulator for harvesting, processing unit for decision-making, and communication module. Each module can be independently developed, tested, and replaced, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system is designed with multi-functional capabilities to perform various agricultural tasks including harvesting, sorting, and transporting different types of crops. The robotic manipulator can be reconfigured for different tasks, and the navigation system adapts to various terrain types, reducing the need for multiple specialized systems.
2Measurement precision
If robotic systems are designed for high precision tasks, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing modalities (optical sensors, spectral analysis, depth sensors) are merged into an integrated perception system that processes information simultaneously. This combination allows the system to achieve high measurement precision for crop identification and quality assessment without requiring separate complex systems for each sensing type.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing unit acts as an intermediary that receives raw data from multiple sensors, processes and fuses the information, and generates actionable decisions. This central processing layer simplifies the overall system architecture by consolidating complex decision-making logic in one unit rather than distributing it across multiple independent systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If robots operate autonomously in varying environmental conditions, then adaptability is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system employs dynamic adaptation mechanisms where control parameters, navigation paths, and operational modes are continuously adjusted based on real-time environmental feedback from sensors. The system can dynamically change its behavior in response to varying lighting conditions, terrain changes, and weather conditions, maintaining reliability through adaptive response rather than rigid pre-programming.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates continuous feedback loops where sensor data from the environment is constantly monitored, processed, and used to adjust robotic operations in real-time. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining reliable performance through self-correction and iterative optimization of its actions.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a novel assistance system (1) suitable for being used in agricultural tasks, designed for following a user (12) specific such that said user may harvest agricultural material by then depositing it in the system (1) without having to carry it, wherein said system (1) comprises a processing unit (2), a robotic device (3) and a secondary locating device (13) suitable for being worn by a user (12). The robotic device (3) comprises a platform (4), a weighing sensor (6) and at least two (11) primary locating devices, all being configured for sending and receiving information with the processing unit (2), as well as a storage element (7). Additionally, the system (1) comprises image acquisition means (10), for detecting an article of clothing (14) worn by the user (12), also comprised in the system (1) of the invention.