How is IIT Kharagpur’s New Smart Tracked Robot Revolutionizing Crop Disease Detection and Pesticide Spraying?
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Synopsis
Discover how IIT Kharagpur's cutting-edge smart tracked robot is transforming agricultural practices. This innovative technology not only detects crop diseases but also sprays pesticides, enhancing farm productivity and ensuring safer practices for farmers. Dive into this revolutionary advancement that's set to change the future of agriculture!
Key Takeaways
- Smart tracked robot for crop disease detection.
- Automated pesticide spraying for safer farming.
- Utilizes camera-based image analysis for accuracy.
- Addresses farmers' challenges in agriculture.
- Enhances food quality and agricultural productivity.
New Delhi, May 15 (NationPress) Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur have created a smart tracked robot capable of identifying crop diseases and administering pesticides to enhance agricultural productivity.
The semi-automatic tracked mobile manipulator and agricultural robotic system has been successfully engineered by a dedicated team of students from the Institute’s Mechanical Engineering Department.
This innovative robotic system is designed to tackle the persistent challenges that farmers face in detecting plant diseases and applying pesticides safely and effectively.
Understanding that agricultural landscapes can be uneven, Prof. Dilip Kumar Pratihar, who spearheaded the research, advocated for a tracked mobile manipulator as the optimal answer.
“This system incorporates a serial manipulator, akin to a human hand, affixed to a tracked vehicle—specifically crafted for field navigation and precision tasks,” Pratihar indicated.
While drone-based agricultural robots have become prevalent, they often fail to capture high-resolution images of plant leaves due to the turbulence generated while flying, leading to unreliable data.
“This tracked mobile manipulator is versatile, capable of fulfilling multiple roles in agriculture, including plant health monitoring, disease identification, pesticide application, and the harvesting of fruits and vegetables,” the researchers noted in their paper, presented at the 2021 IEEE 18th India Council International Conference (INDICON) hosted by IIT Guwahati.
The recently developed ground-based tracked mobile manipulator employs camera-based image analysis to ensure precise disease detection, followed by the automatic application of the suitable pesticide.
This robotic system, backed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, aims to mitigate health risks associated with manual pesticide spraying while significantly improving food quality and agricultural yield.
By reducing crop losses due to diseases, it fosters enhanced yields and cost-effectiveness, thereby positively impacting the nation’s GDP, as stated by the Institute.
Point of View
It is vital to acknowledge the importance of innovative solutions in agriculture. IIT Kharagpur's advanced robotics research represents a significant step forward in addressing the challenges faced by farmers, ensuring enhanced productivity and safety. Such advancements are crucial for the nation's agricultural future.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the smart tracked robot developed by IIT Kharagpur?
The smart tracked robot is designed to detect crop diseases and spray pesticides, thereby enhancing farming practices and improving food quality.
How does the robot identify crop diseases?
The robot utilizes camera-based image analysis for accurate disease detection.
Who funded the development of the robotic system?
The robotic system was funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
What challenges does this technology address?
This technology addresses the difficulties farmers face in identifying diseases and applying pesticides safely.
What are some applications of the tracked mobile manipulator?
The manipulator can monitor plant health, identify diseases, spray pesticides, and harvest fruits and vegetables.
