SBIR Phase II: Improving farmer safety and grain storage efficiencies via an autonomous grain management and extraction robot

SBIR 第二阶段：通过自主粮食管理和提取机器人提高农民安全和粮食储存效率

• 批准号: 2321441
• 负责人: Benjamin Johnson
• 金额: $ 99.44万
• 依托单位: GRAIN WEEVIL CORPORATION
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Cooperative Agreement
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2023-09-15 至 2025-08-31
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2321441&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; II; Improving; farmer

The broader/commercial impact of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project includes the development and implementation of a robot for post-harvest grain management with the goal of reducing waste, increasing efficiency, and improving the overall sustainability of the agricultural sector. Post-harvest grain management is a crucial aspect of agriculture; However, it can also be a challenging and labor-intensive process for farmers. The incorporation of robots in this process has the potential to alleviate these difficulties and improve overall productivity. By reducing waste and increasing efficiency in grain storage and processing, farmers can ensure that a greater proportion of their crops are utilized, resulting in a more substantial yield. Additionally, the use of automation can enhance working conditions for farmers, allowing them to devote more time to other important tasks. The findings of this research have the potential to have a significant impact on national security, food security, and the rural economy.This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project addresses farmer/worker well-being with research and development on a grain bin management robot. This robot has the potential to transform the field of post-harvest grain storage through its ability to autonomously perform novel and innovative tasks within granular bulk storage environments. Additionally, the robot's ability to safely and effectively operate in harsh, hazardous environments through the implementation of robust safety measures and the use of specialized, hardened electronics further demonstrates the significance of this technology in advancing the field of agricultural robotics. As this technology develops, the autonomous robot will change the way grain is stored. Advances from this research expand the focus from safety to the ability to do the work that no human could. The robot will positively impact labor issues, grain quality improvements, and workflow efficiencies throughout the grain-based supply chain.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

这一小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目的更广泛/商业影响包括开发和实施用于收获后谷物管理的机器人，目的是减少浪费、提高效率和改善农业部门的整体可持续性。收获后的谷物管理是农业的一个重要方面；然而，对于农民来说，这也可能是一个具有挑战性和劳动密集型的过程。将机器人纳入这一进程有可能缓解这些困难，提高整体生产率。通过减少浪费和提高粮食储存和加工效率，农民可以确保更大比例的作物得到利用，从而获得更大的产量。此外，自动化的使用可以改善农民的工作条件，使他们有更多的时间从事其他重要任务。这项研究的发现有可能对国家安全、粮食安全和农村经济产生重大影响。这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目致力于农民/工人的福祉，研发了一种粮仓管理机器人。这种机器人有可能通过其在颗粒状散装储存环境中自主执行新颖和创新的任务的能力，改变收获后谷物储存领域。此外，通过实施坚固的安全措施和使用专门的强化电子设备，机器人能够在恶劣的危险环境中安全有效地运行，这进一步证明了这项技术在推进农业机器人领域的重要性。随着这项技术的发展，自主机器人将改变粮食的储存方式。这项研究的进展将重点从安全扩展到能够做任何人都做不到的工作。该机器人将对整个基于谷物的供应链中的劳动力问题、谷物质量改进和工作流程效率产生积极影响。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。