Automation of commercial wild blueberry harvester to improve harvestable berry yield and minimize operator stress

由于作物参数（株高、株密度、果区）、田间条件（岩石、斜坡、光斑、杂草）和果实产量的巨大变化，野生蓝莓产业正面临着日益增加的收获损失（15%至25%）。目前，收割机操作员必须根据作物/田间条件和果实产量的变化，根据自己的判断，频繁地手动调整机器设置（抽头高度、地面速度、抽头转速），以减少果实损失。与其他封闭冠层作物相比，野生蓝莓种植系统的独特特点强调了开发自动化系统的必要性，以提高收割机和操作人员的效率，从而提高浆果的产量和质量。拟议研究计划的总体目标是开发一种具有成本效益的传感和控制系统，使蓝莓收获机自动化，以提高可收获产量并减少操作人员的压力。野生蓝莓种植者设定了一个目标，在未来五年内将可收获产量提高33%。为了实现这一里程碑，设想的基于技术的产品和流程包括：(i)开发一种创新技术，在收获期间实时感知植物高度、地面/岩石和果实产量；（ii）发展一套电脑自动控制系统，以便在采收期间就水头高度、地面速度及水头转速作出即时决策；（iii）将自动采摘机与传统采摘机进行比较，提高浆果采摘效率；（四）用创新的自动化收割机替代非自动化收割机。该提案是达尔豪斯大学与新斯科舍省科林伍德的道格布拉格企业合作开展的多学科研究的一部分。工业界和科学家之间的合作是为了开发创新和可行的技术，这些技术将提高可收获产量，帮助稳定产量，提高农场盈利能力，最终在加拿大建立一个更可持续的野生蓝莓产业。在不增加额外费用的情况下，提高采收效率（比如只有5%）每年将为加拿大经济贡献550万美元，为大西洋省份和魁北克省贡献3100万美元。

The wild blueberry industry is facing increased harvesting losses (15 to 25%), caused by substantial variation in crop parameters (plant height, plant density, fruit zone), field conditions (rocks, slope, bare spots, weeds) and fruit yield. Currently, the harvester operator has to frequently adjust machine settings (head height, ground speed, header rpm) manually, based on his/her judgment, according to the variation in crop/field conditions, and fruit yield to reduce fruit loss. The unique features of the wild blueberry cropping system as compared to other closed canopy crops emphasize the need for the development of automated systems to increase harvester and operator efficiency in order to improve berry yield and quality. The overall goal of the proposed research initiative is to develop a cost-effective sensing and control system to automate blueberry harvester to increase harvestable yield and decrease operator stress. Wild blueberry growers set a goal to increase harvestable yieldby 33% in the next five years. To achieve this milestone, the technology based products and processes envisioned include; (i) develop an innovative technology to sense plant height, ground/rock and fruit yields in real-time during harvesting; (ii) develop a computerized automated control system to facilitate on -the- go decision making regarding head height, ground speed and head rpm during harvesting; (iii) compare automated harvester with traditional harvester to improve berry picking efficiency; and (iv) replacement of non-automated harvester with innovative automated harvester. This proposal is part of a multi¬disciplinary research effort at Dalhousie University in collaboration with Doug Bragg Enterprises, Collingwood, Nova Scotia. This collaboration between industry and scientists was initiated to develop innovative and viable technologies that will enhance harvestable yield, assist with stabilization of yields over time, and increase farm profitability and ultimately lead to a more sustainable wild blueberry industry in Canada. Increased harvesting efficiency (say 5% only) with no additional expense would contribute $5.5 million to the NS economy and $31 million to Atlantic Provinces and Quebec every year.