A solar-powered robot with 20/20 vision, on a search-and-destroy quest for weeds, will soon be moving up and down the crop rows at the experimental fields at the University of Illinois. What’s more, this robot has the potential to control weeds while significantly reducing herbicide use.
The robot uses GPS for navigation, and there are two small cameras mounted on a frame on top of the machine to give the robot depth perception, just like a human, said Lei Tian, agricultural engineer at the U of I. “If he sees a weed, he can actually tell how far away it is.”
An on-board computer offers access to information that provides the morphological features of plants, to help the robot determine just what is and isn’t a weed. Once a weed is identified, a robotic arm attached to the front of the machine engages a device the researcher calls “a custom-designed end effector.”
There are two layers to the device, according to Tian. One layer cuts the weed, while the second layer applies herbicide to the cut weed.
“This type of application is extremely effective,” said Tian, “because it applies herbicide directly to the plant, instead of broadcasting uniform rates across a field.”
With this level of precision, Tian says the system has clear environmental benefits. In addition to cutting herbicide use, chemicals do not drift off-target when placed directly on the plants.
On a larger scale, they’re also describing a robot that could be used for harvesting and planting. Of course, given enough development, you might end up with reduced undocumentado use.
I, for one, welcome our new herbicide wielding overlords.
I’m ready for bug hunting robots.
yea, put a laser on them and let them blast the bugs they see too!
On a larger scale, they’re also describing a robot that could be used for harvesting and planting.
Makes me think of that NASA “Centaurbot” SmartAlix posted a picture of, yesterday.
http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=7490
Interesting to see a group of those moving through the fields at harvest time, wouldn’t it? 🙂
4. Then maybe we wont need illegals to do it for those “who dont want those jobs”. This is a cool use of tech.
Free the bug hunting robots
Yea, but I dont think they can shoot at the roots to kill Borers or grubs.
Why not use Chickens, or other NATURAL animals that Love BUGS.
#5 – won’t need illegals? I got a news flash for you, the way automation is going, before too long we won’t need legals either.
5 This is a cool use of tech
Looking at Alix’s link again, I see the Centaurbots aren’t really “robots” but “telepresence” devices…
So, there would be a human operator for each one in the field.
Hmmm, interesting questions:
How many people would be interested in “working the fields” if they could do it from home? Or a site near the farm?
Picking lettuce or grapes while sitting in a comfy chair, listening to some tunes, occasionally sipping on a cold one??
No sore back from kneeling over over endless rows of strawberry plants?
Cleaning-out the barn without the stench of cow/horse/pig $hit??
Instead of people working in large call centers – annoying us during dinner – we could have large telepresence centers full of people harvesting crops!
NASA could help fund the cost of the equipment as a way to get “real world” feedback on bot durability, and software performance.
Isn’t this the sort of thing that brought about skynet?
Anything is better than the illegal immigrants that poop in the field.
#9 “So, there would be a human operator for each one in the field.”
Huh? No, this is not even close to centaurbots. If you think anyone’s about to replace $5/ hour farm labor with telepresence machines each linked to a white middle class dimwit behind a computer terminal, you’re missing a basic grasp of earth-planet economics.
#12
I agree. Not everyone can afford even one of these machines.
Lets get our 12 year olds OUT in the fields to learn about the BASICS of life…
12 If you think anyone’s about to replace $5/ hour farm labor with telepresence machines each linked to a white middle class dimwit behind a computer terminal, you’re missing a basic grasp of earth-planet economics.
Don’t worry.
It was just a whimsical thought I wanted to share…
I do think it would be funny to see, though, when driving past a field. 🙂
Still want the 12 year olds out in the fields, to learn about life, and work…
It was the old way of doing things,
NOW they cant work unless they are 16..