Experimental efficiency evaluation of 445 nm semiconductor laser for robotized weed control applications
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Kuupäev
2020
Kättesaadavus
Ajakirja pealkiri
Ajakirja ISSN
Köite pealkiri
Kirjastaja
Abstrakt
Robotized weed control is one of perspective approaches for decreasing ecological
impact of farming. Although current level of technology development allows robotized weed
control to be economically reasonable only in specific applications, it is only a matter of time to
introduce them in full-scale industrial farming. In general terms weed control using agricultural
robots consist of two parts: recognition and spatial localization of weeds (distinguishing them
from crops) and precision application of some kind of growth limiting activity. Recognition and
localization is usually carried out using computer vision solutions (image filtering and
transformations, artificial neural networks etc.). Growth limiting in its turn is performed by
mechanical, precise chemical, thermal, cryogenic or other means. This article covers application
of laser radiation for thermal destruction of unwanted plant canopies. In most cases CO2 type
lasers with 10.6 µm wavelength is used as they are affordable and they are applicable to use with
plant biomass due to their spectral characteristics. Drawbacks of CO2 lasers are low efficiency,
size, weight and complex maintenance. In recent years relatively powerful short-wavelength
semiconductor lasers have became broadly available on market. Light absorption of healthy green
leaves is much better in blue-UV spectrum than in green, far infrared and near infrared, which is
almost completely reflected by leaves. Thus an experimental study of using 12 W output 445 nm
blue semiconductor laser for weed canopy cutting was carried out. The experiments were
performed with direct laser radiation, the laser module was positioned using robotic manipulator
with different speeds and cutting patterns.
Kirjeldus
Märksõnad
weed, laser, efficiency, robot, articles