THE Southeast Asian Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), in collaboration with the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), conducted an introductory training on agri-robotics at Tarlac Agricultural University's Farmer's Training Center (TAU-FTC).
To inspire students and faculty to leverage technology in advancing agriculture, the event brought together Information and Technology (IT), Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (ABE) students, and TAU faculty members.
TAU President Silverio Ramon Salunson emphasized the critical role of technology in modernizing agriculture and mentioned his vision for TAU to be known as a smart agriculture university.
SEARCA was represented by Darlyn Angeles, SEARCA Emerging Innovation for Growth Department (EIGD) program specialist, and Richard Angelo Natata, EIGD program associate, whose contributions were instrumental in ensuring the program's success.
Angeles also provided an overview of the Agri-Robotics Education for Young Learners project, implemented in partnership with CLSU.
The training on Dec. 2 to 4, 2024, offered a combination of engaging lectures and hands-on activities designed to enhance participants' knowledge and skills in robotics for agriculture.
On the first day, participants were introduced to the fundamentals of robotics, its applications in agricultural settings and the use of various sensors with an interactive activity where they constructed robots using the VEX IQ robotics kit, promoting practical learning and teamwork.
Day two centered on signal processing and coding, providing participants with a deeper understanding of these essential concepts through hands-on exercises that reinforced their learning.
Featuring an exciting competition on the final day, participants applied their newly acquired skills to design, build and program prototypes of fruit-picking robots and were challenged to build a fruit picker robot that would follow a line, identify the correct color representing ripe and unripe fruits, and put it in the specified area for each selection.
Three teams emerged victorious, showcasing their exceptional creativity and learning throughout the training.
According to SEARCA, feedback from students and faculty highlighted their enthusiasm for similar future programs, "expressing their interest in furthering their knowledge in agri-technology to address pressing agricultural challenges."
TAU College of Engineering and Technology dean Ruben Parazo shared that they are procuring robotics kits, computer sets, and a 3D printer, drawing inspiration from SEARCA's initiative to advance agriculture through cutting-edge technologies like robotics.
"This forward-thinking effort underscores their strong commitment to fostering student engagement in the agri-technology sector, paving the way for a new generation of innovators in agricultural science and technology," SEARCA said.