Robotic Pruning System In Works For Vineyards
January 3, 2013 A robotic pruning system is in development that will be capable of pruning grapes at the same caliber as hand labor, thanks to a $6 million grant awarded to Purdue University in fall 2012. A team of researchers, spearheaded by project leader Peter Hirst, Department of Horticulture, and in collaboration with members of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Purdue and Vision Robotics of San Diego, CA, is working to develop and improve machines that use cameras and robotic arms for pruning in vineyards.
Vision Robotics, a partner in the project with Purdue, has already developed a prototype of an automated grapevine pruner that incorporates stereo vision technology. Two cameras set close together to view the canopy, much as human eyes would, take pictures of the canopy every 0.75 inches and allow the entire cordon to be modeled in 3D before any pruning takes place. A computer translates the 3D vision into a set of actions based on pruning rules written into the software that determine where to make each cut. The cutting system trails the scanning portion of the system and robotic arms make cuts that are guided by lasers.
The primary issues motivating this research are cost reduction and concerns about the future access to seasonal labor. According to Michigan State University Extension, pruning is one of the most expensive operations in a vineyard, about 20% of labor costs, and the availability of workers for pruning can be uncertain.
For more information about this project, click here.
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