Our Robot Harvests Cotton Using Lizard-Inspired Technology
Cotton is a critical crop in the United States, with an annual harvest value of around $7 billion. It is grown in 17 states across the country and is used in various industries, including clothing, medical supplies, and home goods. However, traditional methods of harvesting cotton are labor-intensive and can result in damage to the product and the soil. To address these challenges, researchers at Mississippi State University have developed a robotic cotton harvester inspired by the hunting capabilities of a lizard.
Traditionally, cotton farmers have relied on large, heavy harvesters that can be over 14 feet long and weigh more than 30 tons. While these machines effectively remove cotton without damaging the plants, they have limitations. The machines can cause prolonged fiber exposure, as not all cotton bolls mature at the same time. Additionally, they compact the soil, making it difficult for water and fertilizer to reach the plant’s roots. Furthermore, the cost of these machines is high, despite being used for only a few months each year.
To overcome these challenges, the team at Mississippi State University turned to robotics. By using cameras and sensors, the robotic harvester can detect when cotton bolls are ready for harvest and pluck them delicately, mimicking the hunting motion of a lizard’s tongue. The robot’s three fingers, inspired by a lizard’s tongue, approach the seed cotton gently, allowing the cotton fibers to stick to the machine’s fingers. The hand then retracts quickly, transferring the cotton out of the plant. This process ensures that the cotton is picked as soon as the bolls open, improving the quality of the fiber.
The robotic harvester not only offers more targeted picking of ripe bolls but also eliminates the need for defoliants, which are commonly used to remove leaves from the plants before harvesting. Moreover, the small and nimble robot doesn’t compress the soil as it moves, promoting soil health. This technology has the potential to revolutionize cotton harvesting in major producing countries like China, India, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan, where handpicking is still prevalent, often under exploitative conditions.
Currently, the robotic harvester has undergone testing in the laboratory and cotton fields. The detection system successfully identified 78% of ripe cotton bolls, while the localization system determined the 3D coordinates for 70% of the detected bolls. The picking system harvested 83% of these bolls, with the robot picking approximately 50% of the cotton bolls within its reach. The researchers hope to improve the robot’s speed and efficiency by optimizing the system, adding more arms, and adopting better artificial intelligence algorithms.
The development of this robotic cotton harvester has the potential to enhance the livelihoods of millions of cotton farmers worldwide. By producing higher-quality cotton while minimizing damage to plants and soil, this technology can significantly impact the global cotton industry. As further advancements are made, such as smaller and more affordable versions of the robot, it may become accessible to small farmers in low-income countries, further benefiting those who rely on cotton cultivation for their livelihoods.
