Pesticide-Free Robotic Control of Aphids as Crop Pests

• Published in: AgriEngineering Vol. 4; no. 4; pp. 903 - 921
• Main Authors: Lacotte, Virginie, NGuyen, Toan, Sempere, Javier Diaz, Novales, Vivien, Dufour, Vincent, Moreau, Richard, Pham, Minh Tu, Rabenorosoa, Kanty, Peignier, Sergio, Feugier, François G., Gaetani, Robin, Grenier, Thomas, Masenelli, Bruno, da Silva, Pedro, Heddi, Abdelaziz, Lelevé, Arnaud
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.12.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Agricultural practices; Agricultural sciences; Algorithms; aphid detection; Aphidoidea; Artificial intelligence; Automatic; Automation; Biodiversity; Cameras; Crops; Deep learning; Engineering Sciences; Farming; Host plants; image-based visual servoing; Insects; Internet of Things; Laboratories; Laser applications; Laser beams; laser-based neutralization; Lasers; Life Sciences; Localization; Mathematical functions; Mosquitoes; Neutralization; Pesticides; Pests; Robot control; Robotics; Robots; Sciences and technics of agriculture; Seedlings; Semiconductors; Water quality; Weeds; robotics; deep learning; laser-based neutralization; image-based visual servoing; aphid detection
• ISSN: 2624-7402; 2624-7402
• DOI: 10.3390/agriengineering4040058

Because our civilization has relied on pesticides to fight weeds, insects, and diseases since antiquity, the use of these chemicals has become natural and exclusive. Unfortunately, the use of pesticides has progressively had alarming effects on water quality, biodiversity, and human health. This paper proposes to improve farming practices by replacing pesticides with a laser-based robotic approach. This study focused on the neutralization of aphids, as they are among the most harmful pests for crops and complex to control. With the help of deep learning, we developed a mobile robot that spans crop rows, locates aphids, and neutralizes them with laser beams. We have built a prototype with the sole purpose of validating the localization-neutralization loop on a single seedling row. The experiments performed in our laboratory demonstrate the feasibility of detecting different lines of aphids (50% detected at 3 cm/s) and of neutralizing them (90% mortality) without impacting the growth of their host plants. The results are encouraging since aphids are one of the most challenging crop pests to eradicate. However, enhancements in detection and mainly in targeting are necessary to be useful in a real farming context. Moreover, robustness regarding field conditions should be evaluated.