Kharagpur: The Mechanical Engineering Department of IIT Kharagpur has developed a machine that deploys pesticides after detecting plant diseases.
It involves a semi-automatic tracked mobile manipulator cum agricultural robotic system.
The robot has already been tested both inside the lab as well as on the ground outside. Efforts are on for testing on agricultural fields and transferring technology to the industry.
This smart farming initiative addresses key challenges faced by farmers and thereby enhances agricultural efficiency.
Once the batter is charged, the machine can run for 1.5 hours. It sprays pesticides for 40-50 m. It can also be rotated by 360 degrees.
The IIT Kharagpur team has already been granted the patent for the Tracked Mobile Manipulator. It is equipped with a serial manipulator resembling a human arm.
The device brings precision and intelligence to the field of agricultural robotics. The robot employs stable, camera-based image analysis to accurately detect plant diseases, followed by the targeted automatic spraying of suitable pesticides.
The project is being supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. The robot is being manufactured by Technodom.