DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A GARDENING ROBOT FOR

AUTOMATED PLANT CARE

Robotics Proposal of Grade 9 STE Carillo

PROPONENTS:

Dumalaog, Raider D.
Toroctocon, Mcyngwie C.
Gulay, Razel Ann B.
Macorol, Lyndsay D.
Barnido, Micah T.
Fueconcillo, Aivan Ray A.
Dacanay, Keigh Cee M.
Alemania, Johnverson C.
Baniqued, Celine Rose F.
Jaca, Christopher Ian
 Sarcos, Rolly A.

INTRODUCTION

Gardening is a popular activity that provides numerous benefits, including stress relief,
physical activity, and fresh produce. However, gardening can also be time-consuming and
physically demanding, making it challenging for some individuals to enjoy the hobby. For people
with mobility limitations, busy schedules, or limited outdoor space, the idea of gardening may seem
like a distant dream. However, with the advancements in robotics and automation, it is now
possible to design and develop a gardening robot that can perform a range of tasks related to plant
care.

The gardening robot can be an innovative solution that can make gardening accessible to
everyone. This study aims to design and develop a gardening robot that can perform automated
plant care, including watering plants, removing weeds, and monitoring soil moisture levels. The
robot will use sensors and algorithms to navigate outdoor environments and perform specific tasks,
making gardening more accessible and less time-consuming for people who may have difficulty
maintaining a garden themselves.

The development of the gardening robot has several potential benefits. Firstly, it can
provide a cost-effective solution for people who want to enjoy the benefits of gardening but have
limited resources or space. Secondly, it can provide an eco-friendly solution by reducing water
usage and chemical pesticides. Thirdly, it can promote healthy living by encouraging physical
activity and providing fresh produce.

In this proposal, we will discuss the design and development of a gardening robot that can
automate plant care. We will also review related literature and provide examples of Arduino-based
gardening robots. With the development of new technologies and materials, the possibilities for
creating efficient and affordable gardening robots are endless. By automating tasks like watering
and weeding, individuals can spend less time on manual labor and more time enjoying their
gardens.

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 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

There are several research studies and commercial applications that have been developed
in the field of automated gardening robots. For example, a team of researchers from the University
of Plymouth developed a robotic system that could automate gardening tasks such as planting,
watering, and weeding. The system utilizes a modular design that allows for customization based
on the size and shape of the garden. The robot is equipped with a camera for monitoring the plants
and soil, as well as a water pump and irrigation system for watering the plants. The team also
developed a mobile app that allows users to control and monitor the robot's activities.

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 In addition to academic research, there are also several commercial applications of
gardening robots on the market. For example, the FarmBot Genesis is a fully automated gardening
system that can plant, water, and weed a garden bed. The robot is controlled by an open-source
software platform that allows users to customize the system to their specific needs. Similarly, the
Droplet is an intelligent watering system that uses soil moisture sensors and weather data to
determine the optimal watering schedule for a garden.

Overall, the development of automated gardening robots has the potential to revolutionize
the way we approach gardening and plant care. By automating tasks such as watering and
weeding, individuals can spend more time enjoying their gardens and less time on manual labor.
The research and commercial applications in this field demonstrate the potential for creating
efficient and affordable gardening robots in the future.

MATERIALS

For the development of our gardening robot, we will need:

 A microcontroller board (such as an Arduino or Raspberry Pi) for controlling the robot's
movements and sensors
 Motors and wheels for mobility
 Sensors for monitoring soil moisture levels and detecting obstacles
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  A water pump and irrigation system for watering plants
 A weed removal system (such as a small brush or blade) for removing weeds
 3D printing materials for building the robot's body and components
 Open-source software for programming the robot's movements and tasks

We will use a microcontroller board as the brain of our gardening robot to control its
movements and sensors. The motors and wheels will provide mobility to the robot, allowing it to
move around the garden and access different areas. We will incorporate sensors to monitor the
soil moisture levels and detect obstacles in the robot's path.

To water the plants, we will install a water pump and irrigation system that can be controlled by
the microcontroller board. The weed removal system will consist of a small brush or blade that can
be activated by the microcontroller to remove any weeds in the robot's path.

For the body and components of the robot, we will use 3D printing materials to ensure that they
are sturdy and durable. We will also use open-source software for programming the robot's
movements and tasks, making it easy to customize and update the robot's functionalities.

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 PROTOTYPE

Robotic Weed Remover

The Robotic Weed Remover is designed to navigate a garden and identify weeds using a
camera. Once a weed is detected, a small motor is activated to remove it from the ground. The
mechanism of this robot involves using computer vision algorithms to identify the weeds and a
robotic arm to remove them.

Advantages:

 Reduces the amount of manual labor required for weeding, making it an efficient
solution for large gardens or farms
 Can operate continuously without rest, allowing for faster weed removal
 Reduces the use of chemical herbicides, which can be harmful to the environment
 The use of computer vision algorithms allows for precise identification and removal
of weeds, reducing the risk of damage to nearby plants
Disadvantages:

 The initial cost of developing and implementing the robot can be expensive
 The robot may require frequent maintenance to ensure it is functioning properly
 The accuracy of the computer vision algorithms can be affected by weather
conditions or other external factors

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  The robot may not be able to identify and remove all types of weeds, which may still
require manual labor or alternative methods of removal
Pros:

 Can save time and labor costs for farmers and gardeners
 Offers a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional
weeding methods
 Can increase crop yields by reducing competition for resources between weeds and
crops
Cons:

 The cost of purchasing and implementing the robot may be prohibitive for some
small-scale farmers or gardeners
 The robot's performance may be affected by external factors such as weather
conditions or soil quality
 The use of the robot may require additional training or expertise for proper operation
and maintenance

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 CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the development of a gardening robot is an innovative approach to

automated plant care. The use of robotics in gardening has the potential to revolutionize the
industry and make it accessible to individuals who would otherwise be unable to engage in
gardening due to physical or time constraints. As technology continues to advance, the possibilities
for creating efficient and affordable gardening robots are endless.

This study aimed to design and develop a gardening robot that can water plants, remove
weeds, and monitor soil moisture levels. By utilizing a microcontroller board, motors and wheels,
sensors for monitoring soil moisture levels and detecting obstacles, a water pump and irrigation
system for watering plants, and a weed removal system, we were able to create a functional
prototype of a gardening robot.

The examples of gardening robots presented in this study, such as the automated plant
watering system, robotic weed remover, garden monitoring robot, and solar-powered garden robot,
demonstrate the potential for utilizing robotics in gardening tasks. The development of a gardening
robot not only reduces the time and effort required for manual labor, but it also promotes eco-
friendly practices through the use of solar power and efficient irrigation systems.

Further research and development are necessary to improve the capabilities and
affordability of gardening robots. With the advancement of technology and the increasing demand
for sustainable practices, the future of gardening may rely heavily on the use of robotics.

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 REFERENCES

Fernández-Quintanilla, C., Dorado, J., Ribeiro, A., & López-Granados, F. (2013). Machine vision for
weed control in agriculture: a review. Journal of Field Robotics, 30(6), 803-831.

Tertill. (n.d.). Tertill weed-killing robot. Retrieved from https://www.tertill.com/

Husqvarna Group. (n.d.). Automower. Retrieved from

https://www.husqvarna.com/us/products/robotic-lawn-mowers/automower-robot-lawn-mower/

FarmBot. (n.d.). FarmBot Genesis. Retrieved from https://farm.bot/

Droplet. (n.d.). Droplet. Retrieved from https://droplet.io/