Development of Solar Powered Multi Functional Agribot

Abstract

The development of a Solar Powered Multi-AgriBot aims to provide an efficient, low-cost, and eco-friendly solution for small-scale farming operations. This project integrates three essential agricultural functions—soil tilling, seed sowing, and irrigation—into a single robotic system powered by renewable energy. The system consists of a metallic robotic frame equipped with a 12V, 10W solar panel, a 12V, 2Ah battery for energy storage, and multiple DC motors for different operations. A 12V, 60 RPM motor enables movement, while a 12V, 10 RPM motor controls the seed dispensing mechanism, and a 12V, 2 LPM DC pump is used for watering crops. The robot is controlled through a wired remote system, allowing directional movement and operation flexibility. This multifunctional agribot reduces human labor, increases operational efficiency, and promotes sustainable farming practices. The integration of solar energy minimizes dependency on conventional power sources, making it suitable for rural and off-grid areas. Overall, the system demonstrates a practical approach to automation in agriculture, enhancing productivity and resource optimization.

Introduction

Agriculture is a major source of livelihood in developing countries like India, but traditional farming methods are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and inefficient. The shortage of skilled labor, rising operational costs, and dependence on fossil fuels have increased the need for smart and automated agricultural solutions. Modern agricultural robotics, or agribots, aim to improve farming efficiency by automating tasks such as soil tilling, seed sowing, and irrigation.

The proposed Solar Powered Multi-AgriBot is a compact and energy-efficient robotic system designed to perform multiple agricultural operations using renewable energy. The system uses a solar panel and rechargeable battery to provide sustainable power, reducing dependence on grid electricity and diesel fuels. It integrates three main functions: soil tilling, seed sowing, and irrigation. A DC motor controls the movement of the robot, while separate mechanisms manage seed distribution and water pumping for precise farming operations.

The agribot offers several advantages, including reduced labor dependency, lower operational costs, improved seed placement accuracy, efficient water usage, and environmentally friendly farming practices. Its compact and portable design makes it suitable for small and medium-scale farmers who cannot afford large agricultural machinery.

The literature review highlights recent advancements in agricultural robotics, including solar-powered systems, IoT-based monitoring, precision seed sowing, automated irrigation, and multifunctional agribots. Researchers have demonstrated that automation improves productivity, reduces resource wastage, and supports sustainable farming. However, existing systems often focus on single functions, involve high costs, face energy management issues, or lack adaptability to different field conditions.

The study identifies important research gaps, including the need for affordable, multifunctional, solar-powered agricultural robots that are easy to operate and suitable for rural farming conditions. The proposed system addresses these limitations by combining multiple farming functions into a low-cost, user-friendly, and sustainable robotic platform aimed at improving agricultural productivity and efficiency.

Conclusion

The Solar Powered Multi-AgriBot developed in this project presents an innovative and practical solution to modern agricultural challenges. By integrating soil tilling, seed sowing, and irrigation into a single system, the agribot significantly reduces manual labor and enhances operational efficiency. The use of a 12V, 10W solar panel combined with a rechargeable battery ensures that the system is energy-efficient, eco-friendly, and suitable for rural and off-grid areas where electricity availability is limited. The experimental results demonstrate that the agribot performs effectively in small-scale farming conditions, providing uniform seed distribution, controlled irrigation, and satisfactory soil tilling. The wired remote control system allows easy operation and directional movement, making it user-friendly for farmers. Additionally, the compact and low-cost design makes it accessible to small and marginal farmers, promoting the adoption of automation in agriculture. However, certain limitations such as limited battery backup, reduced performance on uneven terrain, and lower efficiency in hard soil conditions were observed. Despite these challenges, the project successfully showcases the potential of combining renewable energy with agricultural robotics. Overall, the system contributes toward sustainable farming, improved productivity, and reduced environmental impact.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2026 Prof. S. V. Borkar, Khushi Pandey , Rashi Yelne, Kanchan Khonde, Sneha More. 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.