From the Chessboard to Apple Orchards: A Robot from KBSU Aims to Master Agricultural Spaces

A unique robot, created at the Institute of Electronics, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence at Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov, may have a new role. While its intellectual abilities were previously focused on solving complex chess problems, it now has potential in agriculture. The developers intend to train the machine for the delicate process of apple picking.

As Mukhamed Kipov, Head of the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems and Data Analysis at KBSU’s Institute of Electronics, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence, explained, the key elements for achieving this goal will be the robot’s existing components: a high-precision manipulator arm and a 3D camera capable of recognizing objects. By supplementing these with specially developed artificial intelligence algorithms, the specialists plan to enable the robot to carefully pick ripe fruit without causing any damage.

«Our goal is to maximize the potential of our robot in agriculture by teaching it to autonomously pick apples. This will require significant training of the artificial intelligence so that it can perform such delicate mechanical actions. To do this, we will upload vast amounts of data regarding the characteristics of trees, their fruits, and various environmental conditions,» emphasized Mukhamed Kipov.
Therefore, the chess-playing robot from KBSU has every chance of becoming not only a worthy opponent for world grandmasters but also a valuable assistant for farmers.

Mukhamed Kipov is confident that by training the robotic arm to perform complex mechanical actions based on data analysis and AI algorithms, it can be adapted to perform a wide range of tasks. It can bring practical benefits to the regional economy and the real sector.

«In the food industry, this could include packaging or sorting.» «The robotic arm can also be used in laboratory settings for precise manipulation of chemicals or biological samples, where sterility and accuracy are essential,» emphasizes the robot chess player’s developer.
It’s important to note that this ambitious project is being implemented thanks to internal grants from the Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh. M. Berbekov.