About the Project
This project aimed to automate the labor-intensive process of harvesting white button mushrooms by developing a prototype robotic solution. Goals included understanding mushroom environmental and bruising characteristics, collecting dynamic picking data, and designing a robotic system with custom end-of-arm tooling and a vision system.
Project Overview
- 3 Researchers
- 8 Student Researchers
- Areas of Expertise: Electromechanical Engineering Technology – Robotics
Technologies:
- Vision System
- Specialty Data Collection Glove and Motion Analysis Tools
- 3D Printing
- Finite Element Simulation Model
Key components involved a collaborative robot with custom tooling, a test bed for validation, and various 3D-printed compliant gripper tips. Preliminary durability tests and simulations refined the design. Additionally, a standalone mushroom stem slicer had been designed and tested, potentially enhancing packaging and material handling strategies.
Key Innovations
- Vision System: An integrated vision system to identify and locate mushrooms, ensuring they are picked at the optimal stage of ripeness.
- 3D Printing for Rapid Prototyping: Enabled on-demand production of gripper components, reducing costs and eliminating issues related to mold design and inventory management.
- Finite Element Simulation: Used to rapidly test and optimize new designs in a virtual environment, speeding up the development process.
Impact & Benefits
- Labor Efficiency: The automation of mushroom picking addressed the labor-intensive nature of the task, reducing the need for manual labor.
- Increased Productivity: The robotic system works continuously, increasing the efficiency of mushroom harvesting and ensuring peak-quality mushrooms.
- Sustainability: Automating mushroom picking supports sustainable agricultural practices by improving productivity and reducing labor costs.
- Commercial Viability: The project’s advancements in robotic mushroom harvesting provide a scalable solution for mushroom farms.
Related Programs
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