• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.20 no.10
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• pp.80-87
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• 2021

Our study introduces an improved modular agricultural platform to provide convenience to agricultural workers. We upgrade the platform design in three parts, namely, by adding a 458 pattern tire, electricity control, and four-wheel steering function, to improve the platform performance. Results showed that the upgrades enhanced the platform performance and reduced its overall weight as compared with the existing platform. To demonstrate the performance of our improved platform, we conducted five types of experiments with respect to the climbing angle, variable width, attitude control, speed, and obstacle passing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Manufacturing Process Engineers
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.30-35
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• 2021

In this study, we developed an automatic module changer for agricultural implements for using in unmanned agricultural robots. An automatic module changer is attached by lowering from the top to bottom of the implements and fixing the four fastener bars attached to the implements in combination. The lift function was implemented using seesaw-type structures to keep the engagement point constant when the automatic module changer climbs and descends, and the switching function of the automatic module changer was implemented using the link device in the cam structure. We developed an algorithm to check the presence of attachment and opening/closing of the workpiece using limit switches and verified the performance through combination assessment and weight lift test to assess whether the combination was within the error range.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.517-524
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• 2003

There have been worldwide research and development efforts to automate various processes of bio-production and those efforts will be expanded with priority given to tasks which require high intensive labor or produce high value-added product and tasks under hostile environment. In the field of bio-production capabilities of the versatility and robustness of automated system have been major bottlenecks along with economical efficiency. This paper introduces a new concept of automation based on tole-operation, which can provide solutions to overcome inherent difficulties in automating bio-production processes. Operator(farmer), computer, and automatic machinery share their roles utilizing their maximum merits to accomplish given tasks successfully. Among processes of greenhouse watermelon cultivation tasks such as pruning, watering, pesticide application, and harvest with loading were chosen based on the required labor intensiveness and functional similarities to realize the proposed concept. The developed system was composed of 5 major hardware modules such as wireless remote monitoring and task control module, wireless remote image acquisition and data transmission module, gantry system equipped with 4 d.o.f. Cartesian type robotic manipulator, exchangeable modular type end-effectors, and guided watermelon loading and storage module. The system was operated through the graphic user interface using touch screen monitor and wireless data communication among operator, computer, and machine. The proposed system showed practical and feasible way of automation in the field of volatile bio-production process.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.124-130
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• 2020

This paper designed modular agricultural robotic platform capable of a variety of agricultural tasks to address the problems caused by a decline in agricultural populations and an increase in average age. We propose a modular robotic platform that can perform many tasks required in field farming by replacing only work modules with common robotic platforms. This platform is capable of steering while driving on four wheels in an upland environment where farm work is performed, and an attitude control module is attached to each drive module to control the attitude of the platform. In addition, the width of the platform is designed to be variable in order to operate in various ridges according to the crop cultivation method. Finally, we evaluated five items: variable width, gradient, attitude control angle, step and road speed in order to carry out the farming industry while maintaining a stable posture.