Systems engineering-based approach for the development of a strawberry harvesting robot

Abstract

Strawberry harvesting is a challenging task due to the delicate nature of the fruit and the need for careful handling to preserve its quality. This research paper focuses on the application of systems engineering in the development of an integrated strawberry harvesting robot. Through a systematic development process encompassing requirements analysis, system design, subsystem integration, and testing, the paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the Systems Engineering approach in addressing the complexities of agricultural robots. By adopting the VDI 2206 model as the chosen systems engineering approach, the study successfully showcased the integration of various subsystems in the robot’s design, ensuring efficient harvesting techniques, accurate fruit detection, gentle handling, and optimal harvesting rates while minimizing damage to the fruit. Additionally, the inclusion of test results validated the performance and efficiency of the implemented systems. The average harvesting time, from fruit detection to fruit picking, is recorded as 80 seconds per fruit. The findings contribute to the advancement of efficient and reliable robotic systems for strawberry harvest while offering valuable guidance for future research and development endeavors in agriculture.