Automatic Weed Killing and Plant Protection Robot

Abstract

This system aims to provide a sustainable solution for weed management, particularly for small and medium sized farms. A more cost-effective, precise, and environmentally responsible approach, it promises to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals and manual labor. The primary objective of the project is to create a functional prototype that can autonomously kill weeds using a motor pump or other mechanical means while navigating through agricultural fields. The robot\'s design allows for Bluetooth control, enabling farmers to remotely monitor and operate the robot. The outcome of this project could significantly improve productivity, reduce costs, and promote sustainable farming practices, contributing to the growing demand for precision agriculture.

Introduction

Background:

Weed management is a major challenge in modern agriculture, particularly with the increasing global demand for food, limited land availability, and environmental concerns. Traditional weed control methods—manual weeding and chemical herbicides—are labor-intensive, harmful to the environment, and increasingly ineffective due to herbicide-resistant weeds.

Need for Innovation:

There is a growing demand for sustainable, efficient, and automated weed control solutions. Robotics and automation offer promising alternatives, particularly autonomous systems that can reduce herbicide use and manual labor.

Project Overview:

The proposed Automatic Weed Killing Robot is a low-cost, eco-friendly, and autonomous system designed to detect and eliminate weeds in small to medium-scale farms. It uses:

• Arduino Microcontroller (central control unit)

• Bluetooth Module (for remote operation)

• DC Motors & L298N Driver (for movement)

• Ultrasonic/Infrared Sensors (for weed detection)

• Relay & Motor Pump (to spray herbicides or water)

Key Objectives:

1. Autonomous Weed Detection & Elimination: Using sensors and microcontrollers to detect weeds and remove them mechanically or chemically.

2. Affordability & Efficiency: Aimed at smallholders, using minimal energy and materials.

3. Remote Operation: Bluetooth-based control via smartphone or computer.

4. Environmental Sustainability: Reduces reliance on harmful herbicides and labor-intensive methods.

Methodology & Working Principle:

• Navigation: Robot moves using DC motors, guided by sensor feedback.

• Weed Detection: Sensors identify obstacles or weeds in real time.

• Weed Elimination: On detection, a relay activates the motor pump to spray herbicide or cut weeds with a blade.

• Remote Monitoring: Via Bluetooth app for start/stop, monitoring, or configuration.

• Energy Source: Battery-powered for efficiency and mobility.

Literature Insights:

• Existing robotic systems (e.g., EcoRobotix, AgBot II) are effective but costly and complex.

• Optical and infrared sensors enable accurate weed detection, though processing demands are high.

• Bluetooth-integrated robots are more accessible and user-friendly for small-scale applications.

Results & Discussion:

• The robot functions effectively with basic sensor feedback and cutting mechanisms.

• Sharp, low-ground blades enhance weed removal.

• Bluetooth allows real-time control and tracking.

• There's potential to improve weed identification via image processing and AI.

Future Improvements:

• Camera and FPV systems for better precision and possible remote manual control.

• AI and image processing for distinguishing weeds from crops automatically.

• Gripper-based mechanical removal for permanent weed eradication.

Conclusion

We\'ll learn how to build a useful product that can help farmers solve their problems using an integrated approach from mechanical, electronics, and control engineering. With the help of the project, there is a good chance that the farm will limit the use of chemicals and get rid of other negative effects like the contamination of ground water and the loss of land fertility caused by too many chemicals. The technology will be much more human friendly and the electronics can be used for betterment of farmers to increase the productivity. The farmers will be better able to manage their farms, allowing them to concentrate more on management and increasing yield. There will be a phase of rapid development. The Farmers will be able to reduce chemical use resulting in reduced expenditure and higher profits. Also lesser use of chemicals increase soil quality and prevent ground water contamination. Not only will farmers be able to use and increase their productivity, but so will government agencies, businesses, and other members of the public and private sectors. The overall benefits this system holds is countless. In addition, in the coming years, machines that are more precise and accurate will be seen, and engineering students and professionals will advance them. This system makes use of mechanical, electronic, and computer science knowledge. The system has more room for development because it combines scientific knowledge with knowledge from each stream.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Merlin Joy Vardhini, Aishwarya Patil, Chinnamma Gondle, Kavya Kore. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.