Project summary
Garden robots are automated units that can be used in horticulture and agriculture. The goal of garden robots is automated, machine-controlled, and optimised plant care. Garden robots can be operated using electronic devices such as computers, tablets, or smartphones.
2expn+1, in collaboration with alchemia-nova, developed a concept for a modular, disassembleable model in three sizes that is also suitable for indoor plant production. Farmbot 2.0 used digital image data and soil sensors to record plant growth and substrate properties in order to adapt lighting, nutrient composition, and irrigation. Furthermore, the Farmbot was able to distinguish crops from weeds based on the digitally recorded images and was able to respond accordingly.
The conceptual development included additional functions, such as the application in vertical systems, for pollination, and harvesting functions. Finally, scaling up for industrial applications will be considered.
Innovations were sought in the following areas: sensor technology, robust mechatronics, camera systems, optimisation of programming interface extensions, networking opportunities with the Open Agriculture Initiative, big data and analytics for data-based decision-making, machine learning, and the possible integration of a citizen science aspect.
Project management
alchemia-nova
Partners
2expn+1, Österreich
Project status
Start: 7/2017, completed
Tender: FFG Innoscheck5000
Budget: 5.000 Euro
