Development of Remote-Controlled Solar-Powered Pesticide Sprayer Vehicle

Abstract

Abstract Pest species pose a significant threat to the agricultural industry as they can negatively impact crop productivity and result in potential financial losses due to damage. To address this issue, a solar-powered remote-controlled, semi-automated knapsack sprayer vehicle has been developed. It operates using a 100 AH battery that is charged by four 30W solar panels connected in tandem to produce 120 W, providing power to the motors and pump. The vehicle uses a 12V hub motor to drive the back and steer the front and is equipped with a 12V window regulator/wiper motor. The vehicle is controlled by a remote control and an HC-05 transmitter and receiver, programmed with an ATMEGA32A, which is linked to a relay board. The vehicle utilizes a 116 psi pump for the sprayer. Results indicate that as the feed pressure increases, the flow rate steadily rises and reaches 4 liters/min at the 116-psi pump. With a pump spray rate of 5 liters per minute and a pesticide tank capacity of 20 liters, the vehicle can spray for a total of 4 minutes and cover 159 meters. By employing a remote control, the need for manual labor is reduced, making pesticide spraying more consistent, efficient, and productive. The sprayer also saves time compared to traditional methods and poses no harm to the operator.