Multi-Purpose Intelligent Vehicles
Little Red Rover
The little red rover (LRR)is an electric multi-purposed platform based on the Rabbit Tractors chassis. We will be able to conduct multiple field operations using a robotic arm and interchangeable attachments. The first image shows a conceptual picture of the LRR set to harvest cotton. The left and right end-effectors move to the cotton boll location and an active end-effector strips the cotton boll from the plant and a vacuum hose conveys it to a storage container (accumulator).
This artist rendition shows a laser end-effector lasing an intra-row weed. A stereo camera is used to image the weed, locate it in 3-D space. A Deep Learning Neural Network will be used to identify the weed and choose between llaser, herbicide spray or small tillage unit (not shown). Decision is made based on the identification of the weed, location of the weed and size of the weed.
Clifford - Big Red Rover
Clifford is a larger platform that runs on a 20 HP gasoline engine and hydrostatic drive. It is an articulated vehicle used to mount sensor suites and navigation systems for testing. We are currently using a Cartesian robotic arm and vacuum to harvest cotton (in picture). The robotic arm can be programmed and fitted with other end-effectors for planting, weeding, etc.. and will be adapted for the little red rover platform.
Bibliography
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- Ceren, R., Quinn, S., Rains, G. (2019). Towards a Decentralized, Autonomous Multi-Agent Framework for Mitigating Crop Loss, arXiv:1901.02035v1.
- Barnes, E., Hake, K., Griffin, T., Rains, G., Maja, J., Thomasson, J., Griffin, J., Pelletier, M., Bruce, M., Fue, K., Kimura, E., Morgan, G., Devine, J., Ibendahl, G., & Ayre, B.(2019). Initial Possibilities for Robotic Cotton Harvest. In 2019 Beltwide Cotton Conferences, New Orleans, Louisiana. Paper No. 19370. Cordova, TN: NCC
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