employment began in 2020 , funded by Innovate UK , bestow together Crop Health and Protection ( CHAP ) , Small Robot Company , farming enterprise AV , and N Lee to explore a raw cost - effective and environmentally - favorable way to control the pests .
Now at its termination , the project has demonstrated the impact of fuse improved monitoring with non - semisynthetic treatment to unlock the future of slug control .
CHAP ’s Dr. Jenna Ross OBE lead the project . She said : " Traditionally , methods for slug control have swear on active voice such as metaldehyde or ferric phosphate . However , concerns colligate to the over - use of metaldehyde and its impact on non - target organism have resulted in its subsequent forbiddance in the UK . "
" This think of that it was clip to look beyond the subsist crop protection toolbox to more innovative solutions such as nematode - based bio - molluscicides , which is a particular passion expanse for me as a nematologist . But despite their effectivity , bio - molluscicides are expensive , so we needed to find a mode to make them more cost - good . "
" SlugBot investigated that conundrum and answer , can we improve monitor to acknowledge exactly where slugs are locate in a subject field , and then spot utilise biologicals to slenderize the amount require and therefore monetary value ? Excitingly , we ’ve shown that it soon could be reality . "
The task was delivered in three phases , unite a range of expertness across malacology ( molluscs ) , nematology , biological control , crop protection , car learning , hokey intelligence service ( AI ) , multispectral tomography , and spraying engineering .
leg one included sluggard accumulation , imaging at the CHAP and Rothamsted Research Digital Phenotyping Lab , and the maturation of an AI model . More than 1600 slug were collected during this phase angle but focalize on two main mintage – the grey athletic field stagnate and the Spanish bullet . persona information was collected across a all-embracing range of surroundings and scenario to avail prey and train the AI example .
For stage two , slug mapping capabilities were trialed in nursery and field conditions , using Small Robot Company ’s ' Tom ' golem . This microscope stage also include on - farm testing at AV and N Lee , examine Tom ’s power to take images , upload them for processing and recognition , to then trigger the spray program .
leg threeFinally , arrange three focussed on developing the preciseness spray capabilities of the robot and trialing its usage with a biologic control agentive role . A 1 - meter boom was developed , adapted from a formal spray system of rules , with the net prototype open of spray 20x20 cm .
Andy Hall , Product Manager for Robotics , Small Robot Company , pronounce : " The Slugbot project has enable Small Robot Company to rise an AI that can detect and map slug in a field using our monitor Tom robot and also an on - robot precision detect and spray system of rules , which can be used to spray slugs in real - clip . "
" The collaboration between Small Robot Company and CHAP has built many relationships which will profit both organization in the futurity . "
James Lee of AV and N Lee read : " Experiencing engineering in the field to try new method acting of slug restraint was truly fascinating . Bringing different skills and noesis together through the projection partners to run towards a resolution to move Department of Agriculture forwards was the real positive for me . "
Although the task has recently concluded , the work has proven the potential of autonomous monitoring and precision program program within broadacre arable crops . Now established , the chopine could be adapt to admit new information sets to direct a wide range of weeds , cuss , and diseases .
Dr. Ross add together : " What get down as an idea from my Nuffield Farming travelling soon snowball into what has become a ground - breaking enquiry project . nonstarter to keep in line punch has a vast impact on the agricultural and horticultural industry in both the UK and overseas , but now we have a resolution that could have a significant encroachment with regard to net zero and sustainability . "
" SlugBot has really pushed the boundaries for what is potential . "
For more data : CHAP[email protected]www.chap - solutions.co.uk
