QuickFarmer - multifunctional agricultural robot for protected environments

• Grant number: 19/16529-7
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Duration: December 01, 2020 - August 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Agricultural Machinery and Implements
• Principal Investigator: Michel de Almeida Lopes
• Grantee: Michel de Almeida Lopes
• Host Company: Labtrix Indústria de Bancadas Técnicas Ltda
• CNAE: Horticultura ; Atividades de apoio à agricultura ; Fabricação de máquinas e equipamentos para uso industrial específico não especificados anteriormente
• City: Itatiba
• Associated researchers: Angel Pontin Garcia ; Claudio Kiyoshi Umezu ; Daniel Albiero ; PAULO EDUARDO SILVEIRA

Abstract

Robotics is one of the vanguard technologies that can effectively maximize productivity and minimize the use of inputs as well as human labor in plant production in protected environments. The researchers involved in this project started in 2018 the development of an agricultural robot prototype for use in protected environments. The expertise of Labtrix and associated researchers, obtained in the development of the prototype, indicated the need for specific investments in research and development. This will allow to improve the prototype and overcome the technological challenges, aiming to materialize a commercial version of the prototype. This research project has as general objective to analyze the technical and economic feasibility of incremental technological innovations for the equipment. These innovations will allow them to be used in the production of large-scale vegetables, with a modular concept and their use in several sizes of agricultural greenhouses. Hardware and software enhancements will be evaluated. An incremental methodology and the use of tools will be used to accelerate the development of innovations, such as: computer simulation, mathematical modeling, rapid prototyping, collaborative development, use of libraries and frameworks, tools for project management, among others. Market researches pointed to the existence of a large market for the application in protected environment of the robotic technology proposed here. For example, the production of high value-added specimens, medicinal plants, young plants, organic foods in urban farms; precision sowing for germination and vigor tests; execution of scientific research; production in greenhouses with modified or sterile atmosphere and use of special sensors, transported by the robot throughout the growing area. At the end of this development process, it is hoped that an innovative technology will be made available, with a high commercial and social impact, as well as the strengthening of a small technological company, through the encouragement of research. (AU)