Robotics engineers at the University of Würzburg have developed a novel 3D laser scanner system for precise plant analysis in the field for the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy in Potsdam.
Whether strawberries, asparagus or apples: when it comes to harvesting, skilled workers are often in short supply. Many researchers are therefore working on harvesting robots that could provide welcome support to agricultural businesses in the future.
‘There are already a few prototypes, but none of them are really good yet,’ says robotics professor Andreas Nüchter from Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg.
Measuring How Well Plants Are Doing
To further improve the sensor technology of field robots, Andreas Nüchter's team has developed a novel 3D laser scanner system for the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) in Potsdam. It aims to provide a better understanding of the condition of plants, for example by reliably measuring the water content of fruits – a criterion that is crucial for determining the right time to harvest.
A team led by ATB researcher Dr. Manuela Zude-Sasse has installed the system on a test site in Potsdam, and initial tests have been successful. The 3D laser scanner is mounted on a sensor conveyor station that circles around a plantation of 120 espalier apple trees.
The first tests have shown that ‘we can measure and map the plants in a meaningful way,’ says Professor Nüchter. This is important for use on harvesting robots because they must be able to ‘read’ apple trees and other plants correctly – after all, no two plants look exactly alike.
‘For the production of horticultural products, knowledge of the stage of ripeness is very important in order to be able to optimally control cultivation, harvest time and storage,’ explains Dr Zude-Sasse. ‘Against the backdrop of increasingly variable growth factors due to global warming, precise data on fruit development is becoming increasingly important – for scientific modelling as well as for the future use of commercial harvesting robots.’
Plants Are Measured Using Three Wavelengths
The new sensor system will be used continuously on the ATB test site until November 2025 to monitor the 120 apple trees. The plant scanner is designed to be robust: it can withstand wind and weather and is designed for operating temperatures between 0 and 40 degrees Celsius.
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