In the News

Students invent solar-powered seeder

• Publication Date：03/10/2010
• Source： Liberty Times

Three students from National Chung Cheng University's Institute of Information Engineering in Taiwan’s southern Chiayi County have developed a solar-powered automatic seeding system.

With their "green thumb" vehicle, seeds can be planted and sprout in places without any sources of water or fertilizer. The cart tests the environment and can adjust water sources and fertilizer dosages as well.

The three students, Wen Chi-neng, Peng Yin-chi and Wang Po-hao, used an inlay system to develop an automatic agricultural seeding system that generates its energy through solar power. The vehicle requires only regular restocking of its resources to allow users to utilize it as a base. A wireless remote control allows the cart to survey, plant seeds, irrigate and apply fertilizer even if there is no nearby source of water or energy.

Using information on temperature and humidity returned to it by its "child" vehicles, the mother craft can calculate the appropriate amount of seed, fertilizer and water for the specific location, so that resources are not wasted.

In addition, the mother vehicle can record information on which areas have already been seeded by the child vehicles and the growth time for each plant. Afterwards, using color detection technology, the cart can see whether the plants are mature or not, and alert the user when it is time to harvest.

Wang said the system can be carried in a small truck or car, and supplies improved functions at a lower cost. The group plans to apply for a patent, and hopes to do its part to avert desertification.

(This article originally appeared March 9, 2010 in “The Liberty Times.”)