WeedScout: real-time autonomous blackgrass classification and mapping using dedicated hardware

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Gazzard, M., Hicks, H. ORCID: 0000-0003-1325-2293, Ihianle, I.K. ORCID: 0000-0001-7445-8573, Bird, J.J. ORCID: 0000-0002-9858-1231, Hasan, M.M. and Machado, P. ORCID: 0000-0003-1760-3871, 2024. WeedScout: real-time autonomous blackgrass classification and mapping using dedicated hardware. In: M.N. Huda, M. Wang and T. Kalganova, eds., Towards autonomous robotic systems: 25th annual conference, TAROS 2024, London, UK, August 21–23, 2024, proceedings, part I. Lecture notes in computer science . Cham: Springer. ISBN 9783031720581

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Abstract

Blackgrass (Alopecurus myosuroides) is a competitive weed that has wide-ranging impacts on food security by reducing crop yields and increasing cultivation costs. In addition to the financial burden on agriculture, the application of herbicides as a preventive to blackgrass can negatively affect access to clean water and sanitation. The WeedScout project introduces a Real-Rime Autonomous Black-Grass Classification and Mapping (RT-ABGCM), a cutting-edge solution tailored for real-time detection of blackgrass, for precision weed management practices. Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms, the system processes live image feeds, infers blackgrass density, and covers two stages of maturation. The research investigates the deployment of You Only Look Once (YOLO) models, specifically the streamlined YOLOv8 and YOLO-NAS, accelerated at the edge with the NVIDIA Jetson Nano (NJN). By optimising inference speed and model performance, the project advances the integration of AI into agricultural practices, offering potential solutions to challenges such as herbicide resistance and environmental impact. Additionally, two datasets and model weights are made available to the research community, facilitating further advancements in weed detection and precision farming technologies.

Item Type:

Chapter in book

Description:

Paper presented at the 25th Annual Towards Autonomous Robotic Systems Conference (TAROS 2024), Brunel University, London, 21-23 August 2024.

Creators:

Gazzard, M., Hicks, H., Ihianle, I.K., Bird, J.J., Hasan, M.M. and Machado, P.

Publisher:

Springer

Place of Publication:

Cham

Date:

3 November 2024