CuGoV3 implementation example [Grape harvesting robot TANG]

This time, we would like to introduce two young engineers who are working on private development to make on-site work easier for their families' farmers.

We spoke to them about their joint development efforts using CuGo to solve on-site issues from their perspective and technical capabilities.

First of all, please give us a brief profile of the two of you.

Tezuka: I'm Tezuka. I am currently in my second year of work and am working as a production engineer at an automobile manufacturer.

My family runs a fruit farm in Yamanashi, where they grow peaches and grapes.

Since I was a child, I had watched my family work closely and wondered if there was a way to solve the difficult and heavy labor. In the development of this robot, I am in charge of the hardware design.

Hashimoto: This is Hashimoto. I am in charge of the software part.

Currently, I am working as a software engineer at a robot venture.

 

I have majored in the field of robotics since my university days, and have continued to develop products in the agricultural field as a personal activity since my student days.

About three years ago, there was a contest to create a tomato harvesting robot, and as part of the development, I went to the agricultural field to see what the actual field work was like. It was my first encounter with.

 

There are almost no robots in the agricultural field, and everything is done by hand.

I had only seen robots in my research and hobby development, so I felt there was a big gap.

 

I strongly felt that there must be something that could be done using robots to help solve the problems of heavy labor that have become commonplace in the workplace, which led me to start my current efforts.

 

How did you learn about CuGo V3?

 

Hashimoto: I've been a CuGo user since the beginning.

We started our relationship after participating in a CuboRex event.

They provided us with CuGo V1 and V3, and let us stay at the CuboRex office.

I have had many interactions with him since my predecessor's time as a representative.

Tezuka: I came across this on the internet while collecting information about robot suspension systems.

An electric crawler that is resistant to rough terrain and can be customized freely by the user! !

I wanted to make things with this crawler.

 

I wanted to ask more about CuGo, but it took a lot of courage to contact the company all of a sudden, so I contacted them through a casual interview platform. I think it was around the winter of 2021.

 

Since then, I've been allowed to visit the office and participate in events, and I've gotten to know them as fans of the product.

 

What led you two to start developing together?

 

Tezuka: The CuboRex meetup in 2022 was the impetus. (meetup article link)

 

I went to the meetup because I wanted to see examples of CuGo, and because I wanted to make new manufacturing friends.

I learned about Mr. Hashimoto's work when we talked at a meetup, and since it was the same thing I wanted to make and we share the same passion for manufacturing, we started developing it together.

Before I met Mr. Hashimoto, I was just formulating the idea in my head.

As we talked about various things, received advice and worked together, this idea took shape.

 

Hashimoto: I had been developing it by myself for a long time, so I was thinking that I would like to have a team member that I could work with.

Mr. Tezuka's family was involved in farming, so he has seen it up close and understands the hard work, hardships, and challenges that come with it. I could really tell that he had a good understanding of the actual situation on the ground, and that he wanted to use his own technology to solve the problem.

 

I would love to work with you on the development, and this joint development has come to fruition.

Please tell us more about the products in which CuGo V3 has been introduced.

 

Hashimoto: This is a robot that supports grape harvesting.

 

Normally, during harvesting, a belt is attached to the basket and the harvest is placed over the shoulder.

Grape seedlings are low and their heads can bump into each other, so the work requires a lot of physical effort, requiring them to bend at the waist while holding heavy objects for long periods of time.

With this robot, the crops will automatically follow you.

It's much easier because you don't have to bend over and move while holding the grapes you've harvested.

 

It uses a depth camera attached to the robot to recognize people, and the robot always knows where the person is and follows them.

It detects people and follows you automatically, so you don't need to do any extra operations during harvesting.

Problems that were solved by introducing the product, benefits felt, etc.

 

Tezuka: The best thing about it is that it has very good running performance, and when used in the field, it doesn't get stuck due to dirt getting in.

 

In terms of design, I really like the design specifications, which have a high degree of freedom when assembled with an aluminum frame. The range of manufacturing will suddenly expand. In fact, I don't think anyone had the idea of ​​attaching an aluminum frame to a crawler until the CuGo came out.

 

Many crawlers have fixed left and right sides and are not very versatile, but I think this flexibility is unique.

 

And this compact size has a load capacity of 80kg.

Many farm roads are narrow, and the CuGo can run on narrow roads, which I feel is a big advantage.

What was it like to actually conduct a demonstration experiment in the field?

 

Tezuka: My father, who used the harvesting robot this time, has the opportunity to field test various agricultural equipment such as drones because of his job.

For this reason, my father often observes new machines and technology, but he has heard that no matter how good the technology is, many of them are difficult to put to practical use.

When my father saw this robot, he told me how useful it would be to have.

I was really happy about that. Although we received some detailed feedback, we would like to make use of it in the future.

I've been watching my family work since I was little, and I think I'm well aware of the hardships of farming and how many people, including my father, are gradually becoming unable to do the work they're doing now.

 

There are many so-called cool products that make the world more convenient, such as drones and automated systems. However, the reality is that complex tasks are still performed by people.

Under such circumstances, I continue my current activities with the desire to create something that can help people in real trouble.

Are there any disadvantages that you have noticed while actually using it, and are there any improvements you would like to see in the future?

 

Tezuka: It would be great if the waterproof performance improved. I think the performance of the successor model has improved, but if it is an individual development, it is difficult to afford it due to the cost...The V3 is very easy to use even in its price range, so if it can be washed completely, the range of use will be further expanded. That's what I feel.

 

Please tell us about your future development prospects.

 

Tezuka: While continuing to improve the tracking robot, I would like to create a harvesting robot that can work while sitting.

I've been so busy that I haven't been able to do much about it... (lol)

 

Hashimoto: Fruit trees such as grapes are particularly vulnerable to shocks, so I would like to make further improvements to make them follow along with smooth movements.

 

I think our biggest goal right now is to make the work on site less difficult and make people happy with what we've created. The two will continue to develop this product in order to reduce the burden on farmers.

Thank you, Hashimoto-san and Tezuka-san!

CuboRex will continue to contribute to their research and development.