The Si-POTA project, spearheaded by students Satrio Budi Arifin, Ahmad Ardiansyah, Fadhila Khatami Putra, Anggita Nurisa Maharani, and Chosy Isni Maharesi, represents a significant leap forward in agricultural technology. Under the guidance of Dr. Ir. Gatot Pramuhadi, M.Si., an expert in mechanical and biosystem engineering, this team has developed a robotic sprayer that integrates advanced IoT systems for precise and efficient crop management.
How Si-POTA Works
Si-POTA is designed to automate and optimize several aspects of potato farming, including irrigation, fertilization, and pest control. This innovative device features:
- Servo and DC Motors: These motors drive the robot’s wheels and control the valves and nozzles, providing mobility and precise application of treatments.
- Vision Mixing Module: This module includes tanks for water, liquid fertilizers, and organic pesticides. It uses sensors to collect real-time data on plant conditions, enabling accurate mixing and application.
- Machine Vision Technology: Si-POTA uses cameras and color sensors to assess leaf health and growth stages. The image processing system analyzes the data to determine the optimal dosage of nutrients and pesticides.
- Image Processing: With USB cameras and Raspberry Pi, Si-POTA performs segmentation and classification of leaf images to identify plant health statuses—ranging from healthy to nutrient-deficient. This analysis ensures tailored treatment for each plant.
Benefits of Si-POTA
The introduction of Si-POTA brings numerous advantages to potato cultivation:
- Increased Efficiency: By automating the spraying process, Si-POTA reduces the need for manual labor, saving time and labor costs.
- Optimized Resource Use: The integrated vision-mixing module ensures that water, fertilizers, and pesticides are applied precisely, minimizing waste and maximizing effectiveness.
- Enhanced Monitoring: The IoT connectivity allows for real-time data collection and analysis, enabling farmers to make informed decisions and respond promptly to plant health issues.
- Sustainability: Si-POTA supports sustainable farming practices by optimizing resource use and reducing environmental impact.
Looking Ahead
The Si-POTA team has applied for a simple patent to protect their intellectual property and explore commercialization opportunities. Future plans include integrating satellite connectivity for accurate land mapping and precise agricultural interventions. Additionally, the design incorporates a new 16-liter HDPE tank, offering durability and ease of use with its corrosion-resistant properties and simple filling and emptying mechanisms.
Si-POTA is set to transform potato cultivation by merging cutting-edge technology with practical farming needs. With its focus on efficiency, resource optimization, and sustainability, Si-POTA represents a significant advancement in agricultural robotics. As this innovation continues to evolve, it holds the potential to set new standards in crop management and contribute to more sustainable farming practices.
