Mechanical Control with a Deep Learning Method for Precise Weeding on a Farm
Open Access
- 26 October 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in Agriculture
- Vol. 11 (11), 1049
- https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11111049
Abstract
This paper presents a mechanical control method for precise weeding based on deep learning. Deep convolutional neural network was used to identify and locate weeds. A special modular weeder was designed, which can be installed on the rear of a mobile platform. An inverted pyramid-shaped weeding tool equipped in the modular weeder can shovel out weeds without being contaminated by soil. The weed detection and control method was implemented on an embedded system with a high-speed graphics processing unit and integrated with the weeder. The experimental results showed that even if the speed of the mobile platform reaches 20 cm/s, the weeds can still be accurately detected and the position of the weeds can be located by the system. Moreover, the weeding mechanism can successfully shovel out the roots of the weeds. The proposed weeder has been tested in the field, and its performance and weed coverage have been verified to be precise for weeding.Keywords
Funding Information
- Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST 109-2321-B-020-004, MOST 110-2221-E-020-019)
This publication has 55 references indexed in Scilit:
- Classification of crops and weeds from digital images: A support vector machine approachCrop Protection, 2012
- Design and testing of an intra-row mechanical weeding machine for cornBiosystems Engineering, 2011
- Development of prototype automated variable rate sprayer for real-time spot-application of agrochemicals in wild blueberry fieldsComputers and Electronics in Agriculture, 2011
- A computer vision approach for weeds identification through Support Vector MachinesApplied Soft Computing, 2011
- Innovation in mechanical weed control in crop rowsWeed Research, 2008
- Mechanical within-row weed control for transplanted crops using computer visionBiosystems Engineering, 2007
- A review of non‐chemical weed control on hard surfacesWeed Research, 2007
- Future Directions of Precision AgriculturePrecision Agriculture, 2005
- Safeguarding production—losses in major crops and the role of crop protectionCrop Protection, 2004
- Aspects of Precision AgriculturePublished by Elsevier BV ,1999