Design and Fabrication of Weed Detection and Elimination Robot

Weed control has been a troublesome issue since decades as they are the biggest enemy of crops, causing the yield loss of nearly 20-40% annually. In Pakistan, the farming communities mostly use cultural and chemical techniques, such as herbicides, for weed removal which may harm the actual crop

Project Title

Design and Fabrication of Weed Detection and Elimination Robot

Project Area of Specialization

Mechanical Engineering

Project Summary

Weed control has been a troublesome issue since decades as they are the biggest enemy of crops, causing the yield loss of nearly 20-40% annually. In Pakistan, the farming communities mostly use cultural and chemical techniques, such as herbicides, for weed removal which may harm the
actual crop as well as pollute the environment. The purpose of the project is to avoid these issues and develop an efficient automated system that can safely remove the unwanted plants. For this we have designed a four wheel robot. The project involves two phases; weed identification and weed removal. Weed identification will be done
using image processing. Respbarry pi is used for the identification of weed. A webcam is attached on the pi to detect the weed. To elimnate the weed precise spraying mechanism will be used. The mechanism will have three-axis (x, y, z).  Nozzel is attched along z-axis for precise spraying.

Project Objectives

To develop a system that can identify and locate weeds in crops using real-time image processing.
To develop a system that can kill the weeds autonomously.

Project Implementation Method

1. Raspberry Pi

Raspberry pi used for image processing.  Dataset first trained on PC and then deploy on raspberry pi.

1. Arduino

Arduino Nano used for the motion of robot, and controlled motion of mechanism.

1. Literature review

To get information about the design of robot.

1. Design of Robot

Four-wheel vehicle is designed for the detection and elimination of weed.

1.  Literature review for detection of weeds

To get information about previous methods and techniques used for detection of weed.

1. Literature review for elimination of weeds

To get information about previous methods and techniques used for elimination of weed.

1. DC Motors

DC motors are used to drive the vehicle and mechanisms to kill the weed.

1. Design of Mechanism

Three-axis mechanism is designed to kill the weed using sprayer. The coordinates of mechanism are (x, y, z).

1. Webcam

For Realtime image processing webcam is used.

1. Battery

To provide power to system 12V battery is used. And to provide power to Arduino three 4V batteries are used.

1. Threaded Rods

For motion of mechanism threaded rods are used.

1. Pump

To push herbicides from tank to nozzle.  

Benefits of the Project

By selective spray mechanism, the production of the yield will increase.
Fully autonomous robot helps in saving the labor cost.
Less use of herbicides will save the cost and gives us a sustainable growth of the crop.
There would be no health hazard as that for the case of excessive spray of herbicides.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

The aim of the project is to detect the weed and eliminate it. The deliverable product would include a micro-controller (Respbarry pi) which have the capbility to detect the weed on the basis of image processing. Image processing is carried on wheat crop.

Morover, it will also consists of DC Motors that will drive the robot and also three-axis weed elimination mechanism.Mechanism move on threaded rods.

Webcam is used for detection of weed.

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Core Industry

Agriculture

Other Industries

Core Technology

Robotics

Other Technologies

Artificial Intelligence(AI)

Sustainable Development Goals

Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being for People, Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Climate Action, Life on Land

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com