Mobile manipulator robot for adaptive plant tissue sampling
A mobile manipulator robot equipped with AI and probabilistic machine learning techniques to perform precise plant tissue sampling in glasshouse environments, overcoming challenges like atypical plant appearance and occlusions.
Overview
The mobile manipulator robot is designed to revolutionize plant tissue sampling in glasshouse environments. By leveraging state-of-the-art artificial intelligence and probabilistic machine learning, this solution can navigate complex plant configurations and perform high-precision sampling. It excels in dealing with atypical plant appearances, deformations, and occlusions, ensuring robust and accurate tissue collection. This technology aims to enhance efficiency in agricultural research and crop monitoring.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Embedded AI techniques for navigation and task execution
- Probabilistic machine learning models for handling plant geometry and occlusions
- Utilizes xArm6 arm mounted on a TerraSentia mobile robot
- Onboard computer vision and machine learning algorithms
- Custom end effector tooling for tissue isolation, cutting, and storage
- Evaluated on tomato and berry plants, adaptable to different tissues and growth phases
Technology readiness level
The mobile manipulator robot is currently at Technology Readiness Level 4, indicating that it has been validated in a laboratory environment and is ready for further testing in operational settings such as UIUC greenhouses.
About University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign is a flagship public research university with large‑scale research capacity and a broad academic portfolio. An on‑campus Research Park co‑locates corporate R&D teams and startups with faculty, while the National Center for Supercomputing Applications provides advanced computing and data capabilities for collaboration. Integration with a regional health system and an engineering‑based college of medicine enables clinical translation, and a long‑standing extension network links campus innovation to partners statewide. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, NIH, DOE, USDA, and DoD. A technology transfer office streamlines IP, licensing, and startups, complemented by incubators and prototyping in the Research Park.
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