@inproceedings{1c0491f7df354ce48a09788f0c36f44e,
title = "Autonomous mechanical thinning using scanning LIDAR",
abstract = "Hand thinning is a labor-intensive and expensive peach production practice. Mechanical thinning has been shown to be an economical method of reducing thinning cost. However, current mechanical thinning systems applied to perpendicular V systems require the operator to constantly steer the tractor to maintain engagement. This paper presents a system using a LIDAR to sense the canopy and automatically control the position of a modified Darwin string thinner position to maintain engagement. We demonstrate that the automated system is approximately as good as a human at maintaining canopy engagement by presenting blossom removal counts, and suggest that this may be an economically viable method of augmenting mechanical thinning.",
author = "Matthew Aasted and Reuben Dise and Baugher, {Tara Auxt} and Schupp, {James R.} and Heinemann, {Paul H.} and Sanjiv Singh",
year = "2011",
language = "English (US)",
isbn = "9781618391568",
series = "American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2011, ASABE 2011",
publisher = "American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers",
pages = "1629--1643",
booktitle = "American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2011, ASABE 2011",
address = "United States",
note = "American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting 2011 ; Conference date: 07-08-2011 Through 10-08-2011",
}