CTU Events

Radim Tyleček: Challenges in autonomous outdoor gardening with a robot using passive vision

11 Nov 2019   14:30

Abstract:
The TrimBot2020 project has developed a vision-controlled robot for autonomous navigation and trimming of gardens, which works in uncontrolled outdoor conditions. The robot navigates over varying terrain and approaches rose bushes and boxwood topiary, to trim them to an ideal shape. The platform is
derived from the Bosch Indego robot lawnmower and is equipped with 5 pairs of stereo cameras that provide a 360 deg view. It navigates using a user-defined garden map and 3D scene analysis and then visually servos to align itself to its trimming position next to the bush.
Trimming of the bush is done using a novel electric plant cutter attached to the Kinova Jaco arm, which is mounted on the platform. Trimming occurs after scanning of the bush shape from an arm-mounted stereo camera.
Two different actuators and control algorithms were designed for topiary bushes (rotating blades) and rose bushes (stem clipper).
Achieving this garden application required a combination of robotics and 3D computer vision research and innovation activities. Original developments in 3D sensing of semi-regular surfaces with physical texture
(overgrown plant surfaces), coping with outdoor lighting variations, identifying different objects and types of surfaces, self-localising and navigating around obstacles, visual servoing to potentially moving target plants, leaves and branches, and innovative engineering were required to deliver all this on a small battery-powered consumer-grade vehicle.

Place

KN:G-205, FEL ČVUT, Karlovo náměstí 13, Praha 2

Organizer

Katedra kybernetiky FEL ČVUT

Contact person

doc. Dr. Ing. Radim Šára

More information

http://cyber.felk.cvut.cz/seminars/?event=1336