Moscow Students Develop Robot for Precision Fertilizer Application
The device applies chemicals only where they are actually needed.
Dmitry Milekhin and Ilya Solodyankin, graduates of an engineering program at Moscow School No. 2089, have developed a prototype mobile robot designed to improve the precision of fertilizer application. The device moves autonomously across a field, analyzes the soil and applies chemicals only where they are needed.
“TerraScout, developed by the students, stops at designated sampling points and inserts a sensor-equipped probe directly into the soil to a depth of 10-15 centimeters [4-6 inches – ed.note], enabling highly accurate measurements of acidity, moisture, electrical conductivity and nutrient levels. The robot automatically calculates which liquid additive is required, how much to apply and over what area,” the Moscow Department of Education and Science said.
The robot is equipped with an array of sensors, including a laser scanner that allows it to autonomously map the surrounding terrain.
The developers plan to increase the capacity of the fertilizer tank so the robot can cover larger areas without refilling, as well as add remote connectivity over the internet.
