Design and Development of a Multipurpose and Flexible Agricultural Robot for Precision Agriculture

Abstract

Precision agriculture uses modern technologies such as the Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information System (GIS), remote sensing, drones, satellites, sensors, and field robots to enhance agricultural productivity. Field robots are an emerging technology in precision agriculture with a wide range of applications. However, commercially available robots are usually single-purpose and expensive. In this study, we propose a flexible agricultural field robot. The design incorporates four independent wheel steering mechanisms. The steering mechanism is based on a wheel assembly that rotates with a linear actuator, providing excellent maneuverability and flexibility.  Each four-wheel assembly includes all required electronics for a two-wheel robot. Similarly, the extension rods between the two wheels can vary in shape and length to accommodate different agricultural requirements. The manufactured robot was operated using a Raspberry Pi 4 module via a mobile application. Its adaptable design enables integration with required platforms to execute a wide range of agricultural operations, such as seeding, drilling and autonomous driving using path-planning algorithms. The developed robot provides a cost-effective solution for precision agricultural technology.