Estancia de Investigación EI-AD25-145 - Applications of robotics in precision agriculture - Teleoperation of Robotic Arms for Remote Agricultural Tasks

This research project explores the development of a teleoperated robotic system designed to perform agricultural tasks remotely, enhancing precision and accessibility in controlled farming environments. The system centers around the UArm Lite 6 robotic arm, integrated with Unity, ROS, and Python, and visualized through the Meta Quest 3 headset to enable immersive, intuitive control.

The goal is to create a responsive and user-friendly interface that allows operators to manipulate the robotic arm in real time, performing tasks such as selective harvesting, plant inspection, or sample collection from a distance. By combining robotics with virtual reality, the project aims to bridge the gap between human dexterity and remote automation, especially in scenarios where physical presence is limited or impractical.

The Meta Quest 3 provides a stereoscopic view of the agricultural environment, while Unity handles the 3D simulation and interaction logic. ROS facilitates communication between the software and the UArm Lite 6 hardware, and Python is used for scripting control behaviors, data handling, and system integration.

In addition to technical development, the student will conduct a review of state-of-the-art teleoperation systems in agriculture, evaluating current approaches and identifying opportunities for innovation. The project emphasizes modularity, scalability, and real-world applicability, contributing to the broader goal of sustainable, tech-enabled farming.

This initiative represents a fusion of robotics, immersive technology, and agricultural engineering—paving the way for smarter, more accessible farming practices through remote human-robot collaboration.