CRA334 Agricultural Robotics and Automation Syllabus:
CRA334 Agricultural Robotics and Automation Syllabus – Anna University Regulation 2021
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. To learn about Farming related Machines.
2. To understand the global position and information system in machines.
3. To know about traction and testing
4. To familiarize the concept on weed management
5. To learn about machinery selection.
UNIT – I INTRODUCTION
History of Mechanized Agriculture – Farming Operations and Related Machines – Tillage, Planting Cultivation, and Harvesting, Agricultural Automation – Agricultural Vehicle Robot.
UNIT – II PRECISION AGRICULTURE
Sensors – types and agricultural applications, Global Positioning System (GPS) – GPS for civilian use, Differential GPS, Carrier-phase GPS, Real-time kinematic GPS, Military GPS, Geographic Information System, Variable Rate Applications and Controller Area Networks
UNIT – III TRACTION AND TESTING
Hitching- Principles of hitching, Types of hitches, Hitching and weight transfer, Control of hitches, Tires and Traction models, Traction predictor spread sheet, Soil Compaction, Traction Aids, Tractor Testing.
UNIT – IV SOIL TILLAGE AND WEED MANAGEMENT
Tillage Methods and Equipment, Mechanics of Tillage Tools, Performance of Tillage Implements, Hitching of Tillage Implements, Weed Management – Conventional Cropping Systems, Tools, Crop Rotation, Mechanical Cultivation
UNIT – V MACHINERY SELECTION
Screw Conveyors, Pneumatic Conveyors, Bucket Elevators, Forage Blowers and Miscellaneous Conveyors, Machinery Selection – Field Capacity and Efficiency, Draft and Power Requirements, Machinery Costs.
TOTAL: 45 PERIODS
COURSE OUTCOMES
The Student will be able to
CO 1: Recognize the areas in agricultural process where robotics can be applied.
CO 2: Integrate sensor and system for a required specificprocess in agricultural applications.
CO 3: Apply Mechanics to the design various robot parameters
CO 4: Convert various mechanisms into robot by providing actuation at specific links and joints of the mechanism.
CO 5: Develop suitable robotic system for specific agricultural tasks.
TEXT BOOKS:
1. Ajit K. Srivastava, Carroll E. Goering, Roger P. Rohrbach, Dennis R. Buckmaster, “Engineering Principles of Agricultural Machines”, ASABE Publication, 2012.
2. Myer Kutz , “Handbook of Farm, Dairy and Food Machinery Engineering”, Academic Press, 2019.
REFERNCE BOOKS:
1. Qin Zhang, Francis J. Pierce, “Agricultural Automation Fundamentals and Practices”, CRC Press, 2016.
2. Stephen L Young, Francis J. Pierce, “Automation: The Future of Weed Control in Cropping Systems”, Springer, Dordrecht Heidelberg New York London, 2014.
3. R.A. Kepner, Roy Bainer, E.L. Barger, “Principles of Farm Machinery”, 3rd Edition, CBS Publishers, New Delhi, 2005.
4. Guangnan Chen, “Advances in Agricultural Machinery and Technologies”, 1st Edition, CRC Press, 2021.