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Low-Cost Autonomous Mobile Robot for South African Citrus Farmers

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Researchers at the University of Pretoria have developed a novel, low-cost autonomous mobile robot (AMR) designed to support small- and medium-scale citrus farmers in South Africa. The AMR offers real-time crop monitoring, autonomous navigation, and error alerts, making it a significant advancement in affordable smart technology for sustainable citrus farming. The robot's capabilities aim to enhance the competitiveness of small- and medium-scale farmers in both local and international markets.

Key Takeaways:

  • The wealthy large-scale farmers in South Africa control 100% of the international export market and 77.1% of the local market, endangering the prospect of small- and medium-scale farmers.
  • The AMR is designed to support small- and medium-scale citrus farmers, enhancing their competitiveness in both local and international markets.
  • The AMR uses GENESYS software 2023 University Edition for systems integration and offers real-time crop monitoring, autonomous navigation, error alerts, GPS functionality, and auto-homing when battery levels drop to 30%.
  • The robot captures periodic snapshots of citrus crops for visual inspection and assists with proof of protocols for sustaining citrus and treating infected trees.
  • The AMR represents a significant advancement in affordable smart technology for sustainable citrus farming.
  • The research concluded that the AMR has the potential to increase the credibility and accountability of small- and medium-scale farmers for export and local markets.
  • The University of Pretoria researchers identified the need for affordable smart technology to support small- and medium-scale farmers in South Africa.
  • The AMR is designed to address the inequalities in the citrus farming industry in South Africa.
  • The research was led by Philip Botha Smit and Michael K. Ayomoh from the University of Pretoria.

Statistics:

  • 100% of the international export market is controlled by wealthy large-scale farmers in South Africa.
  • 77.1% of the local market is controlled by wealthy large-scale farmers in South Africa.
  • 30% is the battery level at which the AMR auto-homes.
  • 2023 is the year when the GENESYS software was developed.
  • 82 is the issue number of the Engineering Proceedings journal where the research was published.
  • 1 is the volume number of the Engineering Proceedings journal where the research was published.
  • 35 is the page number where the research was published in the Engineering Proceedings journal.

Sources:

  • Designing a Low-Cost Automated Mobile Robot for South African Citrus Farmers. Engineering Proceedings, 2024,82(1):35. The publisher for Engineering Proceedings is MDPI AG.
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.3390/ecsa-11-20451 (Free version of the journal article)
  • NewsRx. University of Pretoria Researchers Add New Findings in the Area of Robotics (Designing a Low-Cost Automated Mobile Robot for South African Citrus Farmers). Journal of Engineering. October 13, 2025; p 5432.

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