Hortibot: An Accessory Kit Transforming a Slope Mower into a Robotic Tool Carrier for High-Tech Plant Nursing - Part I

Abstract

Danish organic outdoor gardeners today use 50-300 hours per hectare for manualweeding. Through automatic controlling of an existing commercial machine this often heavy andcost-consuming weeding will be eliminated. At the same time, a fully-automatic registration of fieldactivities will contribute to the efficient implementation of EU directive 178/2002 concerningtraceability in the primary production and thereby enhance the food-safety in the production chain.<br><br>A radio controlled slope mower, Spider ILD, is equipped with a new robotic accessory kit. Thistransforms it into a tool carrier (HortiBot) for high-tech plant nursing for e.g. organic grownvegetables.<br><br>The HortiBot is capable of passing over several parcels with visible rows autonomously based on awith a new commercial row detection system from Eco-Dan a/s with minimum use of GlobalPositioning Systems (GPS). Further unskilled workers will be able to operate the basic functions ofthe HortiBot within one hour of training and by using a pictogram as an operational guide.Traceability in the Hortibot will be available online and in real time since all operational data willautomatically be sent to an internet based database.<br><br>This paper presents the solutions chosen for the HortiBot with regard to hardware mechanicalelectricalinterfaces and software. Two accompanying papers at this meeting, part II and III, coversthe following project related subjects: II - Application of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) Methodfor Horticultural Robotic Tool Carrier Design Planning; III - HortiBot: Comparison of potential presentand future phytotechnologies for weed control.