IdaBOT: An Autonomous Utility Robot for Idaho Specialty Crops

Faculty Mentor Information

Duke M Bulanon, Joshua D Griffin

Abstract

Precision agriculture aims to reduce costs and increase productivity through the detailed monitoring of crop inputs and health. While the implementation of precision agriculture techniques in row crops (e.g., corn and wheat) may benefit from the already extensive use of automation, its implementation in specialty crops may be more difficult because of the industry's reliance on manual labor. This project seeks to make a low-cost, autonomous utility robot, called the IdaBOT, to assist Idaho specialty-crop growers in reducing their dependence on manual labor. The IdaBOT will have many applications including transportation of produce, tree or vine pruning, and chemical application. For the purposes of this project, the IdaBOT will demonstrate the autonomous, precision application chemicals in a vineyard and orchard. The IdaBOT will autonomously navigate using passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and a light detection and ranging system (LIDAR).

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Poster #W52

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IdaBOT: An Autonomous Utility Robot for Idaho Specialty Crops

Precision agriculture aims to reduce costs and increase productivity through the detailed monitoring of crop inputs and health. While the implementation of precision agriculture techniques in row crops (e.g., corn and wheat) may benefit from the already extensive use of automation, its implementation in specialty crops may be more difficult because of the industry's reliance on manual labor. This project seeks to make a low-cost, autonomous utility robot, called the IdaBOT, to assist Idaho specialty-crop growers in reducing their dependence on manual labor. The IdaBOT will have many applications including transportation of produce, tree or vine pruning, and chemical application. For the purposes of this project, the IdaBOT will demonstrate the autonomous, precision application chemicals in a vineyard and orchard. The IdaBOT will autonomously navigate using passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), and a light detection and ranging system (LIDAR).