Optimizing Agricultural Harvesting with a PLC-Based Robotic Arm
Zenan Xiong, Guojun Hong
Journal of Networking Technology, Vol. 16, No. 4, 2025.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6025/jnt/2025/16/4/163-171
Link: https://www.dline.info/jnt/fulltext/v16n4/jntv16n4_3.pdf
Abstract:
This paper presents an electrical control system for a harvesting robotic arm that integrates Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) technology with the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. Aimed at addressing labor shortages and enhancing harvesting efficiency in modern agriculture, the system uses PLC for reliable, real time control of the robotic armâ€™s movements. At the same time, PSO optimizes the harvesting sequence to minimize travel distance and positioning errors. The control architecture includes sensor inputs (X1â€“X4) and electromagnetic valve outputs (Y1â€“Y4), with image processing for fruit recognition and localization. Experimental results demonstrate that the PSO enhanced system significantly improves harvesting accuracy, reduces errors especially under challenging conditions like intense light and increases overall operational efficiency. The approach enables precise, adaptive fruit picking while preserving produce quality, showcasing the potential of intelligent algorithms combined with industrial automation in agricultural robotics. This synergy offers a scalable solution for sustainable, high efficiency harvesting in diverse crop environments.