Project description
The overall project objective is to develop the first time ever a fully automatic harvesting machine for green asparagus working with a detection system in ambient light, which should be affordable to SMEs and which has the primary features:
→ Detection success higher than 95 %
→ Fully automatic harvesting (only one operator for 2-3 machines)
→ Automatic quality grading during harvesting
→ Harvesting capacity of up to 1.000 asparagus stalks per hour
→ Collateral damages caused by injuring neighbouring asparagus stalks less than 5 %
→ Increase the European competiveness in asparagus and creating new, healthier working places
To achieve the project objectives, four different, interdisciplinary objectives with respective Milestones to measure their success have been established. One of the objectives has a focus on the detection system in ambient and three of them focusing on the development of the automated harvesting for green asparagus, including the control program.
The technical work plan is divided into 9 work packages. Work packages are broken down into a number of tasks to be carried out by groups of the involved partners within the consortium.
WP 1 – System Specification → The technical and functional specifications of the prototype will be defined within this WP.
WP 2 – Development of the AmLight detection system → The aim of WP2 is to develop the AmLight detection system.
WP 3 – Development of the harvesting mechanism → Development and manufacturing of the mechanics for harvesting.
WP 4 – Development of carrier unit → The aim of this work package is to develop the carrier unit.
WP 5 – Development of control program → In this work package, the control program for the AmLight system will be developed.
WP 6 – System Integration & Functional testing → The individual components developed and manufactured under WP2, WP3 and WP5 will be integrated into the carrier unit developed within WP4, thus leading to the assembled AmLight prototype.
WP 7 – Operator training – Field tests – Evaluation – Optimisation → Within this work package the functional tested prototype will be transported to the end-user sites for field tests.
WP 8 - Dissemination and Exploitation Activities → Dissemination and Exploitation activities are a key element for the success of a research project of this kind and comprise a comprehensive dissemination and exploitation strategy.
WP 9 – Project Management → This last WP comprises all activities concerned with project management, coordination of activities as well organising meetings and observing the progress of the project.
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Calendar
News
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A meeting for evaluation of field tests was held on the 13th of September 2016 in Buxtehude, Germany.
Project INFO
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Project duration: 2 years
Budget: 1.394.892 €
EC contribution: 1.036.000 €