Description of the AutoSpar project |
Asparagus is one of Europe's most popular vegetables. Every year in springtime, hundreds of ton of asparagus must be harvested in a fairly short time. Although there are some auxiliary harvesting devices on the market to make the work easier for the workforce and also more efficient, labour costs still represent the highest percentage of the price for asparagus.
While the utilisation of machines in asparagus cultivation is widespread, the level of automation in asparagus harvesting is negligibl
e due to the absence of cost-effective technology. In manual harvesting, the losses of asparagus are enormous and amount to up 15%. This is mainly due to damage caused to neighbouring asparagus stalks by the cutting knife as asparagus immediately stops growing when damaged. Experienced workers cut the asparagus with two cuts, while the average is at 4 to 5 cuts. On the basis of medium seasonal yields of 7 tons/ha and taking into consideration an average loss of 12% , the economic losses amount to up to 20.000 Euro per season and hectare.
To overcome current problems as mentioned before, the aim of AutoSpar is the development of a continuous, fully automatic harvesting system for white and violet asparagus.
The AutoSpar system to be developed will be the first continuous, fully automatic harvesting system for white and violet asparagus. It will allow the gentle cutting and removal of the asparagus stalk on the basis of image recognition and processing system and derived from a parameter analysis of the asparagus as the device approaches it. These parameters (AutoSpar system speed, position and distribution of the asparagus in the dam, number of asparagus stalks) will be determined by means of an asparagus detection system.
WORK PLAN:
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.
Work Package 1 – System Specification
The technical and functional specifications of the prototype will be defined within WP1 according to the requirements of the end users and the machinery producers, leading to a technical specification sheet.
Work Package 2 – Asparagus detection system
The aim of WP2 is to develop the asparagus detection system. Two ways will be studied and followed depending on their accuracy and technical and economic feasibility: The electromagnetic system to look for the asparagus into the dam; and the optoelectronic recognition unit.
Work Package 3 – Development of the harvesting tools
This WP comprises the development and manufacturing of the two mechanical harvesting tools: the cutting device and the lifting device.
Work Package 4 – Design of the motion system
The motion mechanism links the cutting and the lifting device at a distance of approx. one metre and will have to ensure that cutting and lifting can be done in parallel – thus doubling productivity by minimising the cutting and lifting time.
Work Package 5 – Development of control programme
In this work package, the motion control program for the AutoSpar system will be developed. It will control de motion system and therefore the harvesting tools. The aim is to solve the communication between the recognition system and the motion system and the development of the electronic components and software required.
Work Package 6 – System Integration
The individual components developed and manufactured will be integrated, thus leading to the assembled and “cold” checked prototype system.
Work Package 7 – Field tests
Within this work package the assembled prototype will be put into operation at the technical facility of BCM where the essential parts (asparagus detection system, cutting and lifting device, motion mechanism) will be tested by means of laboratory tests.
Work Package 8 - Dissemination and Exploitation Activities
Dissemination and Exploitation activities are a key element for the success of a research project like this kind and comprise comprehensive dissemination and exploitation strategy.
Work Package 9 – Project Management
This last WP comprises all activities concerned with project management and exploitation of the results. Furthermore, a plan for using and disseminating the knowledge will be compiled by the industrial partners necessary for the later commercialisation of the AutoSpar system, starting with the first periodic report and finishing with the final report.