A machine vision assisted mechatronic seed meter for precision planting of corn

Missed seeding during planting operation is a problem for pneumatic corn planters especially for locally developed designs in the Philippines. This study focused on providing a solution to prevent or reduce missed seeding by integrating a control system with machine vision and mechatronic elements to a modified design of a locally developed seed meter. The seed meter was fitted with a camera to monitor the seed plate, a microprocessor to analyze images, and a stepper motor to produce precise rotations for the meter's drive. The control system was designed to detect unfilled holes in the seed plate and adjust seeding rate accordingly to compensate any expected missing hill. Operation simulation revealed that the control system can operate between 2 kph to 6 kph of forward speed. This speed range was caused by the limitations in torque production of the mechatronic drive and the latency of image capture of the camera.