Pesticide Spraying Robot
Remotely operated agri-robot that removes humans from the spray zone
- Embedded C
- Wireless Control
- Actuators
- Mechanical Design
Problem Statement
Manual knapsack spraying exposes farm workers to toxic chemicals daily and gives inconsistent coverage across the field.
Objectives
- Remove the operator from the chemical spray zone.
- Deliver uniform spray coverage across crop rows.
- Keep the platform affordable for small landholdings.
Hardware Used
- Microcontroller-based drive controller
- DC motors with high-torque gearboxes
- Diaphragm pump and nozzle boom
- Wireless RF remote link
- Battery pack and power electronics
Software Used
- Embedded C
- Motor control firmware
- RF protocol handling
System Architecture
- Operator remote transmits drive and spray commands over RF.
- Onboard controller decodes commands and drives motor bridges.
- Pump channel is controlled independently for flow adjustment.
- Fail-safe stop when the radio link drops.
Challenges
- Traction loss on soft, uneven soil.
- Maintaining consistent nozzle pressure.
Solutions
- Increased wheel diameter and torque margin with geared motors.
- Regulated pump duty cycle to stabilise spray pressure.
Key Features
- Wireless remote operation from a safe distance
- Adjustable spray boom coverage
- Rugged four-wheel drive chassis for field terrain
- Pump control with variable flow
- Reduced chemical exposure for farm workers
Future Improvements
- Autonomous row-following using computer vision.
- Targeted spraying with weed detection.
- Telemetry logging of coverage and chemical usage.