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Design and Simulations of a Self-Assembling Autonomous Vertical Farm for Urban Farming

Author

Listed:
  • Bhanu Watawana

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Product Design Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, John St, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Mats Isaksson

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Product Design Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, John St, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Vertical farming has been proposed as a solution for diminishing arable land as it significantly reduces the footprint of farming. Most contemporary solutions use a low level of automation; however, automation of vertical farming is currently attracting attention from researchers. This paper introduces a conceptual design for an autonomous vertical farm where the main novelty is the self-assembling feature. The proposed system is designed to be installed and used by a non-specialist. The system is designed for cost minimisation, using one set of resources moved by a robot arm to service the plants. These resources include sensors, a depth camera, and the required farming tools. The farm has the capacity of self-powering, greenhouse conversion, data sharing and learning, and several other features. The paper provides the conceptual design in addition to an analysis of the dimensioning of the robot arm, time studies for operation, and an analysis of the self-powering ability.

Suggested Citation

  • Bhanu Watawana & Mats Isaksson, 2022. "Design and Simulations of a Self-Assembling Autonomous Vertical Farm for Urban Farming," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2022:i:1:p:112-:d:1021026
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Joel E. Cohen, 2001. "World population in 2050: assessing the projections," Conference Series ; [Proceedings], Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, vol. 46.
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