Development of an AgroRover for smart agricultural automation to enhance productivity using wireless communication

Modern agriculture is confronted by challenges including labor shortages, high technology costs, and unreliable rural power infrastructure. This thesis presents the design and development of AgroRover, an autonomous ESP32-based robotic system engineered for automated seeding operations in agricultural fields. The AgroRover integrates a linear actuator for soil penetration, a precision seed dispensing motor, and an ultrasonic sensor for real-time obstacle detection and avoidance. System monitoring and control are implemented via the Blynk IoT platform, facilitating remote operation and live data tracking through a smartphone interface. Experimental results demonstrate the system’s rapid response capability, achieving an average obstacle avoidance reaction time of 782 ms and a control response time that increases linearly with distance, reaching 197 ms at 15 meters. Path-following accuracy is validated by an average drift of only 2.7 mm over a 3-meter trajectory, indicating high-precision navigation. Furthermore, battery performance analysis shows stable operation, with battery depletion curves for both operating modes confirming over 6 hours of continuous field deployment per charge. The robust wireless connectivity, reliable actuation, and scalable modular design support cost-effective implementation and future integration with renewable energy solutions. These results underscore AgroRover’s potential as a practical, efficient, and scalable platform for next-generation, technology-driven precision agriculture.