SPARK: Seed-Planting Arduino Robot For Efficient Maize: City of Bogo Senior High School
SPARK: Seed-Planting Arduino Robot For Efficient Maize: City of Bogo Senior High School
SPARK: Seed-Planting Arduino Robot For Efficient Maize: City of Bogo Senior High School
Researchers:
Cabahug, Marie Paula C.
Olivar, Eden Agnes L.
Seno, Julius Ryan R.
Baslag, Jehiela Nirel M.
Saludo, Desiree B.
Regala, Christian N.
Becaldo, Edlyn M.
Macasil, Sam Daniel M.
Doncillo, Cluianne Mae A.
Canete, Zach Vince M.
Research Adviser:
Kent Jaspher Ytang
RATIONALE
optimize seed sowing processes through robotics. For instance, Wang, Zhang, and Han
(2020) developed a vision-based robotic system for precision maize sowing, achieving
improved accuracy and efficiency. Additionally, Li, Shen, and Liu (2021) investigated the use
of a robot for autonomous seedling transplantation in rice cultivation, reducing labor costs
and increasing productivity. These studies, among others, have contributed valuable insights
into the field of agricultural robotics. However, there remains a research gap pertaining to
low-cost and easily accessible technologies for seed sowing robots specifically designed for
maize planting.
The research gap in international studies lies in the limited attention given to
affordable and accessible technologies for seed sowing robots in the context of maize
planting. Many existing studies have primarily utilized sophisticated and expensive hardware
environments. Consequently, there is a need for a study that addresses this gap by exploring
the feasibility of an Arduino-based solution for efficient maize seed sowing. Arduino, an
The proposed study stands out in its focus on an Arduino-based seed sowing robot
specifically designed for efficient maize planting. By leveraging the affordability and
versatility of Arduino, this study aims to develop a practical and accessible solution that can
be easily replicated and implemented by farmers, particularly those with limited resources.
The integration of sensors, actuators, and communication modules with Arduino will enable
precise and automated seed sowing, optimizing the planting process and ensuring optimal
seed distribution. This unique approach distinguishes the study from existing research, which
The proposed study holds significant implications for agricultural automation and food
production. Firstly, by addressing the research gap in international literature, the study
contributes to the knowledge base surrounding affordable and accessible technologies for
maize seed sowing robots. This enables small-scale farmers to adopt automated solutions,
reducing labor requirements and increasing overall productivity. Secondly, the study's
emphasis on the use of Arduino as a platform underscores the potential for cost-effectiveness
farming practices. Lastly, the study's significance lies in its alignment with sustainable
agricultural practices, as the automation of seed sowing processes can lead to improved
The main objective of this study is to build a Seed-Planting Arduino Robot for easier and
a. seed placement
b. navigation
2. Determine the response time of the Agribot in terms of its signal transmission from the
a. efficiency
b. speed
c. power consumption
This section will include the relevant studies that will provide data to support the
study’s credibility and significance and will aid in familiarizing information that is relevant
I. Maize
II. Arduino
Arduino is an open-source hardware and software platform designed for creating any
electronic projects. It consists of a microcontroller and IDE. The IDE is use to write, upload
and run code on the Board. Arduino boards are widely used by hobbyists, students, and
professionals in various fields to bring their ideas to life and prototype electronic systems.
The significance of the accuracy and precision is for ensuring that seeds are planted in
a. Seed Placement
Corn seed sowing is a vital task in agriculture, and advancements in agribotics have
enabled the use of specialized robots, known as Agribots, for precise and efficient seed
placement. Precision seeding aims to distribute seeds in the soil in a way that creates the best
conditions for even emergence. It's crucial to plant seeds properly to ensure that they receive
enough moisture to germinate them from unfavorable climatic factors (Badua et al., 2020).
There were no appreciable changes in emergence uniformity at seeding depths ranging from
according to Ozmerzi et al. (2002). The stage of emergence, according to Duncan et al.
The diverse soil conditions (such as soil texture and tillage practices) call for different
levels of downward force, and excessive application of this force can have detrimental effects
on the depth and sprouting of corn plants. (Hanna, 2009) found that an excessive load can
result in compacting the area where seeds are placed. Insufficient load could, however, result
in insufficient seeding depth (Karayel and Arauskis 2011). Poor root development and
irregular plant emergence may be caused by compacted soil surrounding the seed and
b. Navigation
The ability of the robot to move around a field and sow seeds in a predetermined pattern
is called navigation. There are a number of different navigation techniques that can be used
by seed sowing robots, including GPS navigation, inertial navigation, and odometry.
Meyer (2003) and Filliat (2003) discuss the different sensors and map-based
navigation systems that robots can use to build internal representations of their environment
and position themselves within it. The allothetic and idiothetic sensors that these robots can
use to generate internal representations of their surroundings, as well as the maps in which
systems to navigate and sow seeds in a grid pattern. A robot that uses ultrasonic sensors can
detect obstacles and navigate while sowing seed (Godse 2021). Overall, seed sowing robots
use a combination of sensors and vision systems to navigate and sow seeds with precision,
In a seed sowing robot, response time refers to the time it takes for the robot to react to
a change in its environment. This could be anything from a shift in soil conditions to a shift in
seed spacing. A quick response time is critical for the robot to spread seeds accurately and
effectively.
These include the sort of sensors employed, the processing capability of the robot's computer,
and the actuator design .Based on a study by Umarkar (2016), ultrasonic sensors are used to
detect obstacles and navigate the robot in the field. Santhi (2017) also used a vision system
The response time also refers to the time it takes for the robot to receive a command
from the remote controller and execute the corresponding action. For most agricultural
robots, the response time can range from milliseconds to a few seconds. However, it's
important to note that this is a general estimate, and the actual response time can be
influenced by various factors such as the communication range, signal strength, and
processing speed of the robot's control system. Godse (2021) and Amie (2009) describe seed
sowing robots that are controlled by a remote device. The remote control allows the operator
to navigate the robot to the desired location and control the seeding and fertilizing process.
cover 1000 square meters in 5 minutes with a control range of 10m and an efficiency of 95
percent. Srinivasan (2016) reports that their autonomous seed planting robot navigates using
inputs from a magnetometer, indicating that it can receive signals from a remote control
device. The use of a microcontroller to control the distance between seeds, could potentially
An Arduino Uno is used for controlling the robotic activities, which can be considered
a type of remote control device (Godse 2021). Overall, the response time of a seed sowing
robot is an important factor to consider when choosing a robot for your farm. A fast response
time will help to ensure that the robot can sow seeds accurately and efficiently, which can
A. Efficiency
Using mechatronics and related fields, Kumar et al. (2022) claim to have created low-
cost machinery that might partially automate the seed planting process. The technology was
effective at reducing the time and effort required for seed sowing. Dutta et al., (2019) created
and manufactured an autonomous seed-planting robot named Agribot that eliminates the need
for labor throughout the irrigation and seed-planting procedures. According to the study,
using Agribot helped cut down on the time and effort needed for spreading seeds.
The design and development of an automatic seed sowing agribot were given in a
survey by (Kale et al., 2018). The goal was to create a technique that reduces the amount of
time and labor needed for seed sowing. According to the study, using an automatic seed
sowing agribot helped cut down on the time and labor needed for seed sowing. Abdulrhaman
et al., (2017) created a seed-planting robot that was effective and highly accurate. According
to the study, using a seed-sowing robot helped cut down on the time and labor needed to plant
seeds.
B. Speed
The time it takes a seed sowing robot to plant a field is referred to as its speed. The
number of seeds planted every hour can be used to calculate this. Seed sowing robots can
In accordance with Kumar (2020), a smart seed sowing robot that can sow seeds
automatically reduces the total cost and human effort required for sowing. Naseer (2021)
introduces a solar-powered 4-wheel drive autonomous seed sowing robot that can plant seeds
while cultivating the soil in multi-terrain surfaces, increasing the efficiency of seeding by
exact measurement and distance. Belgali (2021) introduces auto seed sowing agriculture
robot that can move in different directions and sow seeds at a particular distance with a
specific delay, reducing the time and labor requirements for the process of planting the seed.
Therefore, the speed of seed sowing robot is an important factor as it can help to reduce the
amount of time.
C. Power Consumption
The power consumption of seed sowing robots can also affects their operating time. In
a study by Agetano (2018), found that their robot’s power supply was enough to give power
to the components of the robot for 4 hours and maintained its pace. Swetha (2015) and
Premalatha (2019) both used solar-powered DC motors to drive their robots, which reduced
The main power supply in this study is a battery which contains an electrochemical cells
which are mainly used to generate power to the electronic devices. It mainly transform
chemical energy into an electrical energy. There are two major categories on a battery which
is called the primary and secondary, the primary are non-rechargeable and disposable while
the secondary is chargeable and reusable. In this study the battery will be used is secondary
where it can be chargeable (Rafath, 2020). All System is powered by a 4 rechargeable lithium
ion battery consisting 1200mAh with maximum voltage of 3.7 that can be total of 12 volts.
This 12 voltage is enough to power all DC motors and the Arduino board (Sowjanya, 2017).
An Arduino-based seed sowing robot was just recently unveiled by Vidushini et al.
efficiently and effectively sowing seeds without wasting any of them. The hopper, which is
situated in the middle of the base frame, is one of this robot's distinguishing characteristics.
To prevent seeds from being wasted during sowing, the hopper is shaped semi-circularly. It is
appropriate for mid- to large-scale agriculture operations because it can carry 1 to 1.5
kilogram of seeds.
The seed-sowing robot developed by Vidushini et al. (2021) combines the advantages
of robotics in agriculture. The robot can also produce real-time data, giving farmers important
information they may use to make wise decisions. The development of the Arduino based
sustainable agriculture by reducing waste and ensuring efficient use of resources. The robot
can accurately sow seeds at a specific depth, spacing, and precise timing, increasing
This section encompasses the research flow of the proposal of the SPARK: Seed-Planting
Arduino Robot for Efficient Maize and the procedures that will be taken to collect data and
I. Research Variable
Considering the factors that impact the effectiveness of planting, the researchers will
gather and analyze quantitative data acquired from the prototype design seeds using the seed
planting robot. The data will be compared to other common seed sowing systems available on
the market. The analysis will include critical performance metrics such as seed placement
accuracy, planting speed, seed spacing consistency, and overall productivity. This
comparative analysis will provide useful insights into the efficiency of the intended seed
planting robot, allowing for a better knowledge of its advantages and prospective
However, the implementation of the Seed-Planting Arduino Robot does come with certain
limitations. Soil variability poses challenges as different soil types, textures, and conditions
can impact the Agribot's ability to achieve precise seed placement and consistent germination
rates. Moreover, the Agribot's seed compatibility may be limited to specific sizes or types,
necessitating manual intervention for certain crop varieties. Additionally, adverse weather
conditions can hinder the Agribot's functionality, affecting its efficiency and productivity.
farmers, especially those with limited resources. Considering these limitations is crucial for
realistic expectations and effective decision-making in adopting and optimizing the Arduino-
a. Collection of Materials
Following the schematic flowchart of the procedures for the proposed product, the
researchers will first assess, identify, and collect the required components. The researchers
will compare the prices of various materials sold by various businesses in order to select the
most cost-effective component. A seed discharge tube, wheels, dc motors, battery and seed
proceed with constructing the device based on the proposed research design. As seen in
Figure 2, the seed metering device is attached on the frame with the seed container.
1. Seed inlet
Following the construction of the device, the researchers will proceed with
programming the device and connecting its wires to its respective parts and sensors.
Illustrated in Figure 3, the diagram showcases the combination of the sensors and
microcontrollers that will be utilized for the device. Following the connection of its
components, the researchers will then program the Arduino board using the IDE Software to
c. Trial Run
suggested seed sowing agribot will begin with the user turning on the power switch, after
which the program will commence. The device would then be launched and placed in a
cornfield. The device would regularly begin planting, and once completed, the agribot would
The proposed device will next be compared to a standardized seed sower and a
commercial seed sower over the same time period and in the same location by the
researchers. Following the initial testing of the proposed device, the device would be
subjected to additional tests (in terms of response time and flexibility) for the final
performance evaluation.
The researchers will assess the performance of the prototype using the
researcher will compare the prototype to two other devices (standardized seed sower and
Furthermore, to completely analyze its accuracy and precision, the researchers will conduct a
series of tests over the duration of one month to determine a dependable and concrete
performance ratio in examining its capabilities in contrast to the other devices stated.
i. Data analysis
To test and ascertain the effectiveness of the Agribot conducted by the City of Bogo
Senior High School STEM students, Table 1 shows the data set of variables.
Table 1
Upon the completion and implementation of the seed planting robot, the researchers
hypothesized the prototype's success in its capability in performing its tasks (i.e. accurately
and precisely planting the corn seeds accordingly). The seed planter along with the
programmed Arduino R3 board will accurately sow the maize seeds in the plowed field
automatically. Moreover, the robot’s response time will positively concur with the robot’s
Shown in Figure 4, the seed planting robot should be used in a plowed field. Its cost
effectiveness will help increase yield and reduce labor dependency. Implementing a Maize
Seed Sowing Robot can improve the seeding process in agriculture and provide a feasible
solution for farmers. Furthermore, the Department of Agriculture and those associated with it
will benefit from the information gathered and the methods utilized in fabricating a cost
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Conceptual Framework
Automation
Soil Conditions
Optimal Moisture levels
Data Analysis Sensor Data Autonomous
Planting and Collection Navigation
Locations Environmental
data
Data Analysis
and Insights
Optimized
Resource
Allocation