Andrew Ng Chee Wei ASIA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY
This project presents PalmVision, an autonomous robotic system that innovates beyond current market solutions for Malaysian palm oil plantations. Unlike existing GPS-dependent agricultural robots that fail under dense canopies, PalmVision utilizes SLAM technology with LiDAR for reliable navigation in GPS-denied environments. The system uniquely combines ROS2-based autonomous navigation, machine vision using YOLOv8 and DeepSORT algorithms, and real-time ripeness prediction to address labor shortages and inspection inefficiencies. Key innovations include waypoint-based 360-degree tree inspection, multi-angle camera systems with servo control, and integrated web dashboards for comprehensive data visualization. The modular design features a robust four-wheel suspension system specifically engineered for plantation terrain, differentiating it from conventional agricultural robots designed for flat surfaces. This comprehensive solution reduces operational costs, improves worker safety, and enables data-driven harvesting decisions in challenging environments.