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Autonomous Platforms

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Advanced Automation for Tree Fruit Orchards and Vineyards

Part of the book series: Agriculture Automation and Control ((AGAUCO))

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Abstract

In this chapter, we discuss how robotics is used in precision agriculture for orchards and vineyards to automate and simplify tasks. We focus on the aspects required for a system to function autonomously and less on the actual task. Topics include ways in which platforms track their positions, such as GPS; what types of sensors are generally used on top of location; and how this data is used for decision-making and human safety within the navigation and mobility concept. We also discuss other high-level topics, such as path planning and optimization and fleet management, to explain the necessary aspects that play behind the scenes. Lastly, we present an overview of existing commercial and emerging technologies for applications in orchards and vineyards.

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Acknowledgments

This chapter is partly based on a technological overview written as part of the SPARKLE Project (Erasmus+ program) and the FlexiGroBots project (Grant agreement ID: 101017111), both EU funds. An analysis has been carried out of state-of-the-art robotics within precision agriculture.

Disclaimer

The examples mentioned in this chapter are a portion of the existing technologies aimed to represent the current capabilities with respect to autonomous navigation. The companies or organizations behind these examples have contributed to the analysis other than the information provided in publications. Their mention does not imply endorsement by the authors, nor does absence imply discrimination.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Automation and Robotics (CAR), CSIC-UPM, Madrid, Spain

    Jeremy J. H. Karouta & Angela Ribeiro

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  1. Jeremy J. H. Karouta
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  2. Angela Ribeiro
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Correspondence to Angela Ribeiro .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA

    Stavros G. Vougioukas

  2. Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems, Washington State University, Prosser, WA, USA

    Qin Zhang

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Karouta, J.J.H., Ribeiro, A. (2023). Autonomous Platforms. In: Vougioukas, S.G., Zhang, Q. (eds) Advanced Automation for Tree Fruit Orchards and Vineyards. Agriculture Automation and Control. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-26941-7_8

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