Agro-robotics
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Undefined
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
1) Development of agricultural automation and robotics
Evolution of agricultural automation and the emergence of agricultural robotics. Roles and integration of agro-robotic systems in precision agriculture. Architectures of agro-robots: ground rovers/UGVs, UAVs, autonomous platforms, and robotic manipulators.
2) Functional components of agricultural robots
Key subsystems of agricultural robots: perception and sensing systems, path planning and autonomous navigation, task planning and controls, actuation and interaction with work-environment, communication infrastructures.
3) Introduction to ROS - Robot Operating System
Fundamentals of ROS: nodes, topics, messages, and services. Installation and setup of the ROS environment. Basic programming concepts in ROS. Introduction to relevant simulation tools.
Hands-on lab activities: mobile robot control, sensor data acquisition and visualization, and basic actuator control.
4) Advanced crop and field sensing for robot operation
Overview of advanced sensing technologies: RGB, 3D, multi/hyper-spectral, and thermal imaging.
Hands-on lab activities: detection of crops, human obstacles, weeds, and signs of crop stress.
5) Case studies in agro-robotics applications
Examples of current applications: autonomous sowing and transplanting, precision treatment and crop protection, robotic harvesting systems, advanced field monitoring, and integration with GIS and Decision Support Systems (DSS).
6) Field robotics lab at Cascina Baciocca (Cornaredo)
Practical field experimentation with robotic platforms and sensing systems in a real-world agricultural setting.
Evolution of agricultural automation and the emergence of agricultural robotics. Roles and integration of agro-robotic systems in precision agriculture. Architectures of agro-robots: ground rovers/UGVs, UAVs, autonomous platforms, and robotic manipulators.
2) Functional components of agricultural robots
Key subsystems of agricultural robots: perception and sensing systems, path planning and autonomous navigation, task planning and controls, actuation and interaction with work-environment, communication infrastructures.
3) Introduction to ROS - Robot Operating System
Fundamentals of ROS: nodes, topics, messages, and services. Installation and setup of the ROS environment. Basic programming concepts in ROS. Introduction to relevant simulation tools.
Hands-on lab activities: mobile robot control, sensor data acquisition and visualization, and basic actuator control.
4) Advanced crop and field sensing for robot operation
Overview of advanced sensing technologies: RGB, 3D, multi/hyper-spectral, and thermal imaging.
Hands-on lab activities: detection of crops, human obstacles, weeds, and signs of crop stress.
5) Case studies in agro-robotics applications
Examples of current applications: autonomous sowing and transplanting, precision treatment and crop protection, robotic harvesting systems, advanced field monitoring, and integration with GIS and Decision Support Systems (DSS).
6) Field robotics lab at Cascina Baciocca (Cornaredo)
Practical field experimentation with robotic platforms and sensing systems in a real-world agricultural setting.
Prerequisites for admission
For the practical activities of the course, basic programming skills (in any programming language) are useful.
However, self-learning resources will be made available to rapidly achieve or recover a sufficient level of preliminary skills.
However, self-learning resources will be made available to rapidly achieve or recover a sufficient level of preliminary skills.
Teaching methods
The learning activities will be based on: 1) presentation of concepts and methods through lectures supported by slides and bibliographic materials; 2) computer lab for the development of simple scripts for interfacing with sensors and robotic systems; 3) field labs on robotic platforms for performing agro-robotic tasks in real-world conditions.
Teaching Resources
Technical documents and papers provided during class will be available in MyAriel page of the course
Assessment methods and Criteria
The students, individually or in group (maximum of three members), will prepare and present a project involving an agrorobotic application or solution designed for a specific agricultural scenario.
To this end, students will apply the skills acquired during the course integrated with technical and bibliographic resources suggested by the instructors or available online.
To this end, students will apply the skills acquired during the course integrated with technical and bibliographic resources suggested by the instructors or available online.
AGR/09 - AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY AND MECHANIZATION - University credits: 3
INF/01 - INFORMATICS - University credits: 3
INF/01 - INFORMATICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Basilico Nicola, Oberti Roberto
Professor(s)
Reception:
make an appointment
via Celoria 2 - Building 10: Ingegneria Agraria