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Development of a novel mechatronic system for mechanical weed ...

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Definition <strong>of</strong> the problem and research objectives<br />

Although the plants were sown with constant spacing, the distance between the<br />

plants in the row can vary and some <strong>of</strong> the expected positions can be without<br />

plants, because <strong>of</strong> various environmental conditions. A <strong>weed</strong>ing tool should<br />

appropriately respond to all deviations from the expected plant/<strong>weed</strong> distribution<br />

pattern, such as the missing plants (1), <strong>weed</strong>s appearing in the close-to-crop<br />

area (2) and non-regular and varying distances between plants in the row (3)<br />

(see Figure 3.2).<br />

30<br />

Figure 3.2 Deviations from the expected plant/<strong>weed</strong> distribution<br />

pattern in field conditions<br />

For successful and accurate intra-row <strong>weed</strong> control, the position <strong>of</strong> every single<br />

plant has to be determined. The eventual deviation from the sowing pattern<br />

needs to be detected and used to correct the control <strong>of</strong> the <strong>weed</strong>ing tool.<br />

Because <strong>of</strong> that, detection <strong>of</strong> the plants and the response <strong>of</strong> the <strong>system</strong> <strong>for</strong> plant<br />

detection need to be fast enough to be applicable in combination with real time<br />

<strong>weed</strong>ing tools.<br />

2<br />

1<br />

The optimal sowing distance <strong>for</strong> different crop plants is heterogeneous, thus the<br />

<strong>weed</strong>ing tool has to be flexible and adaptable to different intra-row distances.<br />

3<br />

3<br />

1

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