U of I Coeur d’Alene to Develop Weeding Robot for Tree Seedling Nursery

科达伦，爱达荷州 — University of Idaho Coeur d’Alene researchers have been granted a $139,000 award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop a robotic weeding system at the U.S. Forest Service’s tree seedling nursery in Coeur d’Alene in what is known as Project Evergreen.

Project Evergreen researchers aim to develop and establish an automated robotic weed detection and eradication system for tree nurseries. 的 U of I Coeur d’Alene research team will build, test and validate a robotic vision detection system and an actuated weeding system at the Coeur d’Alene nursery. 的 system will also collect real-time data during use to allow researchers and foresters to monitor the progress and effectiveness of the weeding system.

加勒特威尔斯, a U of I Coeur d’Alene doctoral student in computer science, will lead Project Evergreen as the principal researcher. 约翰Shovic, director of U of I’s Center for Intelligent Industrial Robotics (CI2R) and associate research professor, 还有20岁的玛丽·埃弗雷特, ’23, ’23, CI2R博士后研究员, will also contribute to the research project.

“Computer science is attempting to solve increasingly complicated real-world problems using artificial intelligence,威尔斯说. “的se problems require AI to account for dynamic environments, often with a large range of variability that can’t be simulated. Projects like this make it possible to test known AI techniques and develop more sophisticated algorithms.”

2024年春天, the team will begin system development with the goal of field testing and validation during the following summer and fall. Data collection and testing will continue through 2025, and potential future work could include system testing on other nursery fields and using weather data to aid in weed management efforts.

“This project is a great example of how robotics and AI can play together to make magic,Shovic说. “你.S. Forest Service is looking to dramatically increase their seedling production in the future, 这个机器人将会是一个很大的帮助. University of Idaho is proud to be part of this path.”

的 USFS is increasing reforestation efforts within the national forest system in response to provisions of the Repairing Existing Public Land by Adding Necessary Trees (REPLANT) Act, according to USFS Program Manager and Senior Scientist Kasten Dumroese. REPLANT Act efforts include an emphasis on an increase in seedling production.

的 六个托儿所 located throughout the United States spend approximately $500,每年花在除草上的钱, which employees and contractors do mostly by hand. New automated systems are anticipated to reduce costs while improving efficiency and timeliness, ultimately contributing to improved seedling quality and reforestation success.

对于USFS, the project could lead to not only cost-effective operations, but also to healthier and more resilient forests.

“This effort is a win-win for the Forest Service and the university,” Dumroese said. “大学, with its expertise and facilities to develop these types of machines, can also train and develop students proficient in intelligent robotics. 林务局, this collaboration can help the agency meet provisions of the REPLANT Act, meet goals to sustain our nation’s forest and deliver benefits to the public.”

欲了解更多信息，请访问 apipros.net/engr/programs/cda or contact U of I Coeur d’Alene’s Robotics program at 208-292-2509.

This project is currently recommended for funding to Regents of the University of Idaho by the USDA Forest Service, project entitled “Nursery Automation Demonstration Project.” 的 total proposed funding is $139,000, of which 100% is the federal share. Project Evergreen is supported by the USFS’s National Center for Reforestation, 苗圃和遗传资源.

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