Contamination-free autonomous robotic plant tissue sampling
An advanced autonomous robotic system designed for contamination-free plant tissue sampling using precision vision and motion control. This solution integrates a customized sampling tool and vision system for accurate plant tissue identification and excision.
Overview
The contamination-free autonomous robotic plant tissue sampling system is a cutting-edge solution developed to address the challenges of precision sampling in agricultural research. This system integrates an autonomous mobile platform with a robotic manipulator equipped with a customized tissue sampling and transfer tool, alongside a vision system that identifies target plant tissues. The primary innovation lies in ensuring contamination-free sampling through precision motion control and the use of exchangeable or disposable components.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Autonomous mobile platform: Utilizes existing robotic technologies for mobility.
- Robotic manipulator: Integrates with a customized tissue sampling tool to excise and transfer plant tissues without contamination.
- Vision system: Employs RGBD imaging and deep learning to detect and segment target leaves, providing data for decision support systems to guide sampling.
- Precision motion control: Ensures non-contact with off-target surfaces and plants, minimizing contamination risks.
- Exchangeable/disposable sampling tool components: Allows for clean sampling and easy maintenance.
- Integrated heat denaturation device: Facilitates decontamination of the sampling tool.
Technology readiness level
The system is currently at Technology Readiness Level 5, having been validated in a controlled greenhouse environment. It has undergone iterative design and rapid prototyping to ensure accuracy and reliability in real-world applications.
About Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
Vineland Research and Innovation Centre is an independent, not-for-profit horticultural research organization in Vineland Station, Ontario, with a team of 100+ people focused on translating science into market-ready solutions. Its integrated campus combines pre-commercial greenhouses, advanced pathology and soil/substrate labs, a prototyping hangar for robotics and sensors, dedicated sensory and food technology suites, and field-scale research farms. A research-park setting with co-located government, academic and industry tenants enables on-site collaboration, testing and demonstrations. Vineland is funded in part through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, with support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Government of Ontario. Commercialization is supported via defined licensing pathways and an active intellectual property portfolio.
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