Sowing, pruning, and harvesting robot for Synecoculture farming developed

Synecoculture, a new farming method, involves growing mixed plant species together in high density. However, it’s a complex way of farming, since varying species with different growing seasons and growing speeds are planted on the same land. To address this, researchers at Waseda University (Tokyo, Japan) have developed a robot that can sow, prune, and harvest plants in dense vegetation growth.

SynRobo

The robot is called SynRobo. It manages a variety of mixed plants grown in the shade of solar panels, an otherwise unutilized space. It has a four-wheel mechanism that enables movement on uneven land and a robotic arm that expands and contracts to help overcome obstacles. The robot can move on slopes and avoid small steps.

The system also utilizes a 360-degree camera to navigate. In addition, it is equipped with various farming tools – anchors (for punching holes), pruning scissors, and harvesting set-ups. The robot adjusts its position using the robotic arm and an orthogonal axes table that can move horizontally.

Seeds coated with soil

The researchers also invented techniques for efficient seeding. They coated seeds from different plants with soil to make equally-sized balls. These made their shape and size consistent, so that the robot could easily sow seeds from multiple plants.

Furthermore, an easy-to-use, human-controlled maneuvering system was developed to facilitate the robot’s functionality. The system helps it operate tools, implement automatic sowing, and switch tasks.

SynRobo also for conventional agriculture

According to Takuya Otani, an Assistant Professor at Waseda University, SynRobo can be widely used in conventional agriculture as well as Synecoculture – only the tools need to be changed when working with different plants. “This robot will contribute to improving the yield per unit area and increase farming efficiency. Moreover, its agricultural operation data will help automate the maneuvering system. As a result, robots could assist in agriculture in a plethora of environments. In fact, Sustainergy Company is currently preparing to commercialize this innovation in abandoned fields in Japan and desertified areas in Kenya, among other places.”