Agricultural Robots

Tom Burks, Ph.D., a professional engineer and professor at the University of Florida, says research should focus on developing automated solutions to improve agriculture production.

 

He focused on enabling technology and overcoming the specific issues facing robots and automation in agriculture.  Machine vision:

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• Captures a pixel map to determine coordinates of fruit position.

• Guides the manipulator to pick, prune, or take a sample of the fruit.

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Burks studied past robotic efforts and their failures. He found that the primary hindrance to implementing robotics had been successfully removing fruit without damaging the healthy ones. ​

 

Additionally, Burks works on weed identification and early disease detection. Machines can be programmed to differentiate between weeds and healthy produce for herbicide and removal purposes.   

 

Most outdoor crops face a variety of threats including:

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• Pests

• Diseases

• Unfavorable weather conditions. 

 

Early detection technology can reduce the use of costly pesticides and decrease the environmental and economic impact.

 

Burks says there will always be a need for people in the field. He says the purpose of this technology is to use it when is feasible as it is market-driven. It is important for people to still be able to grow their own food, but using technology to feed the masses is also a priority.

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Learn more about Tom Burks.