Autonomous Flatbed root scanner [2019-2020]

Within the framework of two Bachelor theses (Forest sciences, Civil engineering) at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU) this project will develop and test an RaspberryPi-based flatbed scanner system for autonomous, continuous imaging of roots and the rhizosphere (approx. 0-30 cm soil depth) in forestal and agricultural production systems.

Special emphasis will be laid on: 

• low power supply (12 V, battery- and/or solar-powered, for field use)
• low costs (to allow the operation of a sufficient number of scanner systems in the field for statistical reasons)
• durability (waterproof housing, pressure and scratch resistant)
• versatility under a broad range of environmental conditions (frost, condensing, etc.)
• wireless communication for set-up, troubleshooting (and to readout images)

The function of a range of prototypes will be evaluated / demonstrated in a greenhouse experiment and in situ and timelapse movies of root system development will be created for use in teaching at BOKU.