LEAFY VEGETABLE CUTTER AND COLLECTOR ROBOT

Abstract: The manual harvesting of leafy vegetables is a labor-intensive, time-consuming, and often ergonomically challenging process, facing pressures from rising labor costs and availability issues. This abstract presents the concept and design framework for an autonomous robot specifically developed for the selective cutting and collection of leafy vegetables (e.g., lettuce, spinach, kale) in field or controlled environments. The proposed system integrates computer vision for plant identification, maturity assessment, and precise localization of the optimal cutting point. A robotic manipulator equipped with a specialized cutting end-effector performs the harvesting action with minimal damage to the plant and surrounding crops. Subsequently, an integrated collection mechanism efficiently gathers the harvested produce. The system aims to improve harvesting efficiency, reduce reliance on manual labor, minimize crop loss, ensure consistent quality through selective harvesting, and operate autonomously within the cultivation area. This technology represents a significant advancement in agricultural automation, contributing to the development of precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices by optimizing resource utilization and operational throughput in leafy green production.

Keywords: Agricultural Robotics, Collection System, Smart Farming, Selective Harvesting, Leafy Vegetables.