Optimal mechanical design of the UV-radiation tower for Phoenix robot at the AIS – An extendable UV-radiation module for disinfecting plants

One of the practical methods for treating powdery mildew is to use a UV lighting system carried by an autonomous robot. The height of the plants can be different from one greenhouse to another or even within the same greenhouse. Hence, having a varying-height UV lighting system would be essential. . To enhance the robot’s efficiency in treating plants in narrow regions found in greenhouses, we propose to design a motorized and extendable UV lighting module. A control system would adjust the height of the UV lighting module to expose the upper parts of plants accordingly. Development of a commercial-grade system of this type would require extensive design validation and optimization against factors such as: modularity, stability, reliability, manufacturability, costs, etc. This project will focus on conducting an end-to-end system approach to the design process that would yield an optimal mechanical design for a modular mobile robot equipped with a UV lighting system.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mehran Mehrandezh

Student:

Partner:

Advanced Intelligent Systems

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Agriculture; Information and cultural industries; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Regina

Program: