Working Paper PUEAA No. 7. Development of a farm robot (Voltan)

Abstract

Over the last century, agriculture has evolved from a labor-intensive industry to one that uses mechanized, high-powered production systems. The introduction of robotic technology in agriculture could be a new step towards labor productivity. By mimicking or extending human skills, robots overcome critical human limitations, including the ability to operate in harsh agricultural environments. In this context, in 2014 the development of the first agricultural robot in Mexico (“Voltan”) began at Chapingo Autonomous University. The research’s objective was to develop an autonomous multitasking vehicle for agricultural work. As a result of this development, a novel suspension system was created. In addition, autonomous navigation between crop rows was achieved through computer vision, allowing crop monitoring, fertilizer application and, in general, pest and disease control.