Exploration of STM32 Microcontroller-Based Robots for Precision Agriculture: Mulching and Drip Irrigation

Abstract

The escalating demands of a growing global population necessitate a paradigm shift in agricultural practices toward greater efficiency, sustainability, and productivity. Precision agriculture, facilitated by automation and robotics, offers a viable solution to these challenges. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of automated systems for mulching and drip irrigation, two critical agronomic practices for water conservation and yield optimization. We focus specifically on the role of advanced microcontrollers, with a salient emphasis on the STM32F401RE, in enabling the development of intelligent, autonomous robotic platforms. This survey critically analyzes the evolution of these technologies, from rudimentary mechanization to sophisticated robotic systems, by reviewing and synthesizing over 15 significant research contributions from the past decade. A detailed examination of system architectures—including hardware components, sensor integration, actuator mechanisms, and software control logic—is provided. The paper discusses the practical applications and tangible benefits of these robots, such as enhanced water-use efficiency, reduced labor dependency, and improved crop health. Furthermore, it identifies and explores the persistent challenges, open research issues, and environmental constraints hindering widespread adoption. Finally, we conclude by summarizing the state-of-the-art and projecting future research trajectories, highlighting the potential of integrating artificial intelligence, machine learning, and IoT to create next-generation agricultural robots. This survey serves as a foundational resource for researchers, engineers, and agronomists working at the intersection of robotics and sustainable agriculture.