In order to reduce the burden of sensing and weed cutting for surveying in the forest, we aim to make robots perform labor in harsh environments. As a labor-saving technology related to the afforestation process, we are developing robots for patrol and cuts weeds, and develop a network and application processing unit for transferring environmental data acquired by robots to forestry workers.

This robot looks around the forest and cuts weeds. For the patrol, it is necessary to avoid standing trees and seedlings, and to run through the forest with slopes and irregularities. For weed mowing, we developed a robot-mounted mowing device, and weeded weeds efficiently with a multi-blade structure. In the development of this robot, research is being carried out in three parts: robot platform, autonomous movement system, and on-board mower.

The purpose of this research is to develop an autonomous movement system that uses a RFID, 3D depth sensor, and CCD camera to allow a robot to identify trees in a forest.

Since our robot works well even though in a rough ground, we have collaborated with several institutions to develop for other use based on our platform. One of the project is the so-called ‘Beach Clean Robot Project’. We aim to protect the beauty of the sea by conducting activities using our robot with local people and the media.

Here is the official homepage of the project.

http://www.bc-robop.org