FR3099683A1 - Cultivation system and method. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cultivation system, comprising: - at least one cultivation space comprising: * different locations for plants, * a robotic arm equipped with at least one tool * displacement means arranged to move the robotic arm between these different locations - electronic and / or computer communication means, - a control station remote from the at least one culture space and comprising control means arranged to control the robotic arm of each culture space via the control means communication, the control means being arranged to control the displacement means so as to move the robotic arm of this culture space between the different locations of this culture space and / or to control actions of the robotic arm of this culture space . The invention also relates to the corresponding process. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Cultivation system and method.

The present invention relates to a culture system. It also relates to a culture method.

Such a system allows a user to cultivate plants. The field of the invention is more particularly but not limited to that of vertical cultivation.

State of the prior art

Vertical cultivation defines the cultivation of plants in containers arranged one above the other, which can typically be up to 10 meters high. Under these conditions, the maintenance of plants located at height requires the grower to use a ladder or a forklift, which has the following disadvantages:

• this is uncomfortable for the exercise of his work,
• this can be dangerous, and
• this represents a loss of space in the farm necessary to let it handle.

In the case where the farm is made up of several alleys of plants, it is also necessary to leave a space between the rows of plants to allow the circulation of the cultivator and the machine which allows him to climb to the bins in heights (minimum 1m between each row).

In the case of an above-ground and pesticide-free culture, there is also the following disadvantage:

• plants are all the more vulnerable to pathogens (viruses, bacteria, larvae) that are transported by the air or carried by the grower.

It is possible to add a sterilization airlock to avoid contamination of the plants, but this has the following disadvantages:

• it involves a loss of space,
• this involves complexity for the grower and
• it implies a waste of time on his work.

In a concept where small farms are meant to be deployed in very diverse locations around the world, this would require finding growers locally and training them, but this has the following downside:

• this limits the deployment of farms to countries where labor is already available.

However, by removing this bias, we could deploy farms in deserts where the reduced population does not have access to certain foodstuffs (due to an unfavorable climate, for example).

The object of the present invention is to solve or reduce at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

This objective is achieved with a cultivation system, including:
- at least one culture space comprising:
* different locations, preferably for plants,
* a robotic arm, preferably equipped with at least one tool
* moving means arranged to move the robotic arm between these different locations
- electronic and/or computer means of communication,
- a control station remote from the at least one culture space and comprising control means arranged to control the robotic arm of each culture space via the communication means, the control means being arranged to control the displacement means so as to move the robotic arm of this culture space between the different locations of this culture space and/or to control actions of the robotic arm of this culture space.

Each culture space preferably further comprises display means arranged to capture an image of the locations and/or of the robotic arm of this culture space, the control station comprising display means arranged to display this image.

The display means preferably comprise a helmet and/or goggles arranged to display the image to a user.

The control means preferably comprise the helmet and/or the goggles, arranged to move the display means according to a movement of the helmet and/or the goggles.

The display means preferably comprise a camera arranged on the robotic arm, preferably at the end of the robotic arm equipped with the at least one tool.

The display means are preferably arranged to image objects in the absence of visible radiation between 400 and 800 nm.

The control means preferably comprise means for controlling movement of the robotic arm between the different locations, vertically and/or horizontally.

The at least one growing space is preferably a vertical growing space, comprising at least one vertical stack of plant slots, preferably several rows of vertical stacks of plant slots.

The movement means preferably comprise horizontal rails and/or vertical rails along which the robotic arm is arranged to move.

The at least one culture space is preferably an enclosed space.

The at least one culture space preferably comprises means for regulating and/or means for measuring at least one physical parameter within this culture space, such as temperature, humidity, CO ₂ , a spectrometric measurement, a luminosity, and/or an ethylene level.

The display means are preferably further arranged to display the at least one measured physical parameter.

Each culture space preferably comprises a drawer arranged to pass between:
- an internal position for which the container of the drawer is accessible from inside this culture space but inaccessible from outside this culture space, and
- an external position for which the container of the drawer is accessible from outside this culture space but inaccessible from inside this culture space
the robotic arm of this culture space being preferably arranged to pick plants and/or products in this culture space and deposit them in the container of the drawer in its internal position
the drawer preferably further comprising sterilization means arranged to sterilize the container of the drawer, preferably by ultraviolet radiation, when the drawer moves from its external position to its internal position.

The system according to the invention preferably comprises several distinct culture spaces, the control station being shared for all the culture spaces.

The system according to the invention preferably further comprises:
- means for building a database comprising, for each plant and/or product of a plant, monitoring over time:
* images of this plant and/or product, and/or
* physical parameters measured on this plant or this product, and
- means for determining a status of this plant or product and/or a recommended action for this plant or product from the data of the database.

The system according to the invention preferably comprises means for analyzing actions, on the plant or product, of a user of the control station, and computer and/or electronic means for learning a recommended action to be carried out on a plant or product depending on its status.

The control means are preferably arranged to control the robotic arm according to the recommended action without intervention by a user.

The display means are preferably further arranged to display the status or the recommended action concerning the plant or product imaged by the display means.

Each plant is preferably identified in the at least one growing space by a barcode.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a culture method, implemented in a system comprising:
- at least one culture space comprising:
* different locations, preferably for plants,
* a robotic arm, preferably equipped with at least one tool
* moving means arranged to move the robotic arm between these different locations
- electronic and/or computer means of communication,
- A remote control station of the at least one culture space and comprising control means.
Said method preferably comprising the following steps
- control, by the control means, of the robotic arm of the at least one culture space via the communication means, comprising:
a) control, by the control means, of the moving means so as to move the robotic arm of this culture space between the different locations of this culture space and/or
b) control, by the control means, of actions of the robotic arm of this culture space, said actions comprising manipulation, by the robotic arm, of the plants and/or products of these plants arranged in the locations.

Each culture space preferably further comprises display means capturing an image of the locations and/or of the robotic arm of this culture space, the control station comprising display means displaying this image.

The display means preferably comprises a headset and/or goggles displaying the image to a user.

The control means preferably comprise the helmet and/or the goggles, the method preferably further comprising a displacement of the display means according to a movement of the helmet and/or the goggles.

The display means preferably comprise a camera arranged on the robotic arm, preferably at the end of the robotic arm equipped with the at least one tool.

The display means preferably image objects in the absence of visible radiation between 400 and 800 nm.

The control means preferably control movement of the robotic arm between the different locations, vertically and/or horizontally.

The at least one growing space is preferably a vertical growing space, comprising at least one vertical stack of plant slots, preferably several rows of vertical stacks of plant slots.

The movement means preferably comprise horizontal rails and/or vertical rails along which the robotic arm moves.

The at least one culture space is preferably an enclosed space.

The at least one culture space preferably comprises means which regulate and/or measure at least one physical parameter within this culture space, such as temperature, humidity, CO ₂ level, measurement of spectrometry, luminosity, and/or ethylene content.

The display means preferably display the at least one measured physical parameter.

Each growing space preferably includes a drawer that passes between:
- an internal position for which the container of the drawer is accessible from inside this culture space but inaccessible from outside this culture space, and
- an external position for which the container of the drawer is accessible from outside this culture space but inaccessible from inside this culture space
the robotic arm of this culture space picking plants and/or products in this culture space and depositing them in the container of the drawer in its internal position
the drawer preferably further comprising sterilization means sterilizing the container of the drawer, preferably by ultraviolet radiation, when the drawer moves from its external position to its internal position.

The method according to the invention is preferably implemented in a system comprising several distinct culture spaces, the control station being shared for all the culture spaces.

Preferably, in the process according to the invention:
- means build a database including, for each plant and / or product of a plant, a follow-up over time:
* images of this plant and/or product, and/or
* physical parameters measured on this plant or this product, and
- means determine a status of this plant or product from the data of the database.

Preferably, the method according to the invention comprises an analysis of the actions, on the plant or product, of a user of the control station, and computer and/or electronic learning of a recommended action to be carried out on a plant or product. depending on its status.

Preferably, the control means controls the robotic arm according to the recommended action without intervention by a user.

Preferably, the display means further displays the status or recommended action regarding the plant or product imaged by the display means.

Each plant is preferably identified in the at least one growing space by a barcode.

Description of figures and embodiments

Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and non-limiting embodiments, and of the following appended drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of system 1 according to the invention, which is the preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a learning method implemented by the first embodiment of system 1 according to the invention,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of displacement means 2 of system 1,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a culture space 3 of the system 1,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a robotic arm 4 of system 1,

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the robotic arm 4 of the system 1, equipped with a first tool variant 5,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the robotic arm 4 of the system 1, equipped with a second tool variant 5, and

Figure 8 is a perspective view of robotic arm 4 of system 1, equipped with a third tool variant 5.

These embodiments being in no way limiting, variants of the invention may in particular be considered comprising only a selection of characteristics described or illustrated subsequently isolated from the other characteristics described or illustrated (even if this selection is isolated within of a sentence including these other features), if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art. This selection includes at least one preferably functional feature without structural details, and/or with only part of the structural details if only this part is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the art anterior.

We will first describe, with reference to Figures 1 to 8, a first embodiment of the system according to the invention 1.

Culture system 1 includes at least one culture space 3.

We will subsequently describe a culture space 3, considering that all the spaces 3 include the same characteristics as the space 3 described below and that the description of the system 1 or method according to the invention will remain valid by replacing the grow space 3 or farm 3 with “the at least one farm or grow space” or “each farm or grow space”.

The 3 grow space includes 6 different locations for plants.

In Figure 4, each cylindrical shape referenced 6 illustrates a maximum occupancy volume provided for the plant located at this location 6.

In FIG. 4, it is also noted that the culture space 3 comprises light sources 14 (typically comprising Electro Luminescent Diodes or LEDs) arranged to emit light 15, comprising at least one wavelength between 400 nm and 800 nm, preferably at least one wavelength between 410 nm and 490 nm and/or between 560 nm and 660 nm, preferably at least one wavelength between 410 nm and 490 nm and at least one wavelength wave between 560 nm and 660 nm.

Culture space 3 includes a robotic arm 4 equipped with at least one tool 5.

The at least one tool 5 includes:

• gripping means arranged to handle plants and/or products of these plants arranged in the slots 6, and/or
• at least one gardening tool 5 among scissors, basket, saw, pliers, fruit cage, etc.

Farm 3 includes several tools 5 which are interchangeable on arm 4.

By robotic arm is meant a set of mechanical parts connected by at least one joint, the movement of which is ensured by at least one motor.

Arm 4 is an arm comprising 6 degrees of freedom.

The arm is for example based on a “DOBOT® Magician” reference arm.

It weighs about 3 kg.

It is retractable, and has a retracted length of 15cm and an extended length of 84cm.

It can lift about 300g.

It is equipped with display means 9 described below.

The arm 4 is equipped with sensors 12 described below, including for example a temperature sensor, a CO ₂ sensor, a humidity sensor, a luminosity sensor, and/or a fruit maturity sensor (by spectrometry ).

The sensors 12 on board the arm 4 are thus as close as possible to the locations 6.

The culture space 3 includes means of movement 2 arranged to move the robotic arm 4 between these different locations 6.

The cultivation system 1 comprises electronic and/or computer communication means 8. The means of communication 8 include for example cloud or cloud computing means 81 (also called “cloud” or “cloud computing means” in English.

The culture system 1 comprises a control station 7 remote from the culture space 3 and comprising control means 17 arranged to control the robotic arm 4 of the culture space 3 via the communication means 8, the means of control 17 being arranged to control the moving means 2 so as to move the robotic arm 4 of this culture space 3 between the different locations 6 of this culture space 3 and/or to control actions (such as grasping an object, manipulate (and/or plant, take cuttings, pick, throw away) a plant and/or a product of a plant, take a measurement by a sensor 12 on board the arm 4, operate a tool 5 of the arm 4, etc.) of the robotic arm 4 of this culture space 3.

Farm 3 and control station 7 are distant.

The means of communication 8 connect the farm 3 and the command post 7.

Remote control saves space in farm 3 (there is no human needed in person in farm 3). This also prevents the entry of pathogens and pesticides that could enter with the round trips made by the farmers.

The culture space 3 further comprises display means 9 arranged to capture an image of the locations 6 and/or of the robotic arm 4 of this culture space 3, the control station 7 comprising display means 10 arranged to display this image.

These display means 9 comprise a camera, for example of reference “intelrealsense D435i®”.

Camera 9 is a "3D" camera that sees:

- at least 180° (i.e. which images at least 2π steradians) or 360° (i.e. which images 4π steradians) at the end of the robotic arm 4, the cultivator user then being able to see between the foliage of the space 3 from the command post 7, which would be impossible in person, where he would only see the surface of the canopy, or

- at less than 180° (i.e. which image is less than 2π steradians), to reduce the latency times of the display of the image on the display means 10.

The display means 10 comprise a helmet and/or glasses (typically a virtual reality device) arranged to display the image to a user on this helmet and/or on these glasses. The use of virtual reality headset 10 allows immersion in the farm and a visit of it by users who would like to see its operation in real time. This can be used as a marketing or educational object.

The display means 10 and/or the means 30, 31, 32, 33, and/or 34 can modify or be arranged to modify the image captured by the means 9 before displaying it, typically so that the walls and/or elements or structures of the farm 3 are modeled in three dimensions (to give the impression, for example, of being in a larger space than it seems and/or lit by natural light) and/or so that the only dynamic object transcribed in real time is the plant imaged at its location 6 by the means 9. The user can therefore choose, by connecting to the farm 3, the plant he wishes to take care of, via a menu displayed on the screen 10. This then appears in front of him, in live stream. To fit into this virtual environment, the plant is cut from the live stream (or "livefeed") and inserted into the virtual environment.

The culture space 3 is a vertical culture space, comprising at least one vertical stack of locations 6 for plants, preferably several rows of vertical stacks of locations 6 for plants. Each vertical stack is typically 3 meters high.

The displacement means 2 comprise horizontal rails and/or vertical rails along which the robotic arm 4 is arranged to move by means of motors. This eliminates the problem of space in height, allowing the arm 4 to rise from ground level to several meters in height. To eliminate the problem of space between the rows of plants, the first vertical rail 21 is itself removable, on a horizontal rail 22 on the ceiling, and can thus move from right to left. It is therefore sufficient to leave a space of 30cm for the rail and arm 4 to pass between the rows of plants.

The rails 21 are typically metallic, preferably stainless steel.

The control means 17 include:

- the helmet and/or the goggles 10, arranged to move the display means 9 (typically in rotation) according to a movement (typically in rotation) of the helmet and/or goggles; the helmet 10 is connected directly to the camera 9 placed on the arm 4. Moving the helmet 10 moves the view of the camera 9 and allows a 360° view up/down and right/left, and/or

- Means (typically manual) for controlling movement (typically in translation) of the robotic arm 4 between the different locations 6, vertically and/or horizontally. The means 17 typically comprise a joystick arranged to control the motors on the rails 21, 22, and therefore allows the arm 4 to move from right to left and from top to bottom.

- means (typically manual) for controlling an action of the robotic arm 4. The means 17 typically comprise:

* another joystick arranged to control the arm 4 and its tool 5 (for example to tighten the equipped tool 5 (close the scissors, pinch the pliers etc.)) and/or to control whether or not the arm 4 is retracted (typically over 60cm in length) to more or less push the arm 4 between the plants of the same row, and

* a 6-axis articulation, one-hand grip type, arranged to choose more precisely where to apply the tool 5.

With this system the user has a view of the entire farm 3 and access to each plant or location 6.

The display means 9 include the camera placed on the robotic arm 4, preferably at the end of the robotic arm 4 equipped with at least one tool 5.

The display means 9 are arranged to image objects in the absence of visible radiation between 400 and 800 nm.

The means 9 typically comprise an infrared camera.

Culture space 3 is an enclosed space. Thus arm 4 is not arranged to leave space 3, and no human needs to enter it. Thus, no pathogen can enter space 3 because space 3 is completely closed (apart from at least one drawer 13 and the necessary vents which are treated with Ultra Violet radiation).

The culture space 3 comprises means of regulation or actuators 11 and/or means of measurement or sensors 12 of at least one physical parameter within this culture space 3, such as a temperature, a humidity, a CO ₂ level, a spectrometric measurement, a luminosity, and/or an ethylene level.

The culture space 3 includes so-called mobile electronic means 16, also called mobile card 16.

The culture space 3 includes so-called static electronic means 18, also called static card 18.

Typically, each of the cards 16, 18 comprises at least one computer, a central or calculation unit, an analog electronic circuit (preferably dedicated), a digital electronic circuit (preferably dedicated), and/or a microprocessor (preferably dedicated ), and/or software means.

The mobile card 16 is so called because it is associated with the robotic arm 4 mobile.

The card 16 is arranged to serve as an interface between the sensors 12 and the means of communication 8, 81. The sensors 12 can thus be as close as possible or in contact with each plant.

Card 16 sends data from sensors 12 to Cloud 81.

Map 16 indicates the (minimum and maximum) activation thresholds of actuators 11 to static map 18.

Card 16 controls motorized arm 4.

The mobile card 16 is typically a “Raspberry Pi Zero W”® reference card.

Sensors 12 typically include:

• a CO ₂ sensor, for example reference T6713 from the company “Amphenol” ®, and/or
• a spectrometer, and/or
• a temperature sensor, for example reference MIKROE-2937 from Shenzhen Feisi Diya Technology Co., Ltd., and/or
• a light sensor, for example reference MIKROE-1903 from Shenzhen Zhaoxing Microelectronics Co., Ltd, and/or
• an ethylene sensor, for example reference MQ-3 from the company "Waveshare ®", and/or
• a humidity sensor, for example reference MIKROE-2937 from Shenzhen Feisi Diya Technology Co., Ltd..

The static card 18 is arranged to activate the actuators 11 disseminated in the farm 3 when the recordings of the sensors 12 require it. The card 16 is arranged to serve as an interface between the actuators 11 and the means of communication 8 and/or the sensors 12.

Card 18 controls the power supply to all elements of Farm 3.

The actuators 11 typically comprise a CO ₂ pump, means for regulating the temperature (an air conditioner and/or a heater), means for regulating the luminosity (ie means for controlling the sources 14), means for regulating the humidity (ie typically air circulation pump with controlled humidity and/or humidity diffuser), and/or CO2 or ethylene regulation means (ie typically fresh air circulation pump and/or source of CO ₂ and/or ethylene).

Board 18 is typically a “DEV-13907 SparkFun ESP32 Thing” reference board.

The display means 10 are also arranged to display the at least one measured physical parameter.

The culture space 3 comprises at least one drawer 13. Each drawer 13 is arranged to pass between:

- an internal position for which the container of drawer 13 is accessible from inside this culture space 3 but inaccessible from outside this culture space 3, and

- an external position for which the drawer container 13 is accessible from outside this culture space 3 but inaccessible from inside this culture space 3,
the robotic arm 4 of this culture space 3 being arranged to pick plants and/or products in this culture space 3 and deposit them in the container of the drawer 13 in its internal position
drawer 13 further comprising sterilization means arranged to sterilize the container and/or the contents of drawer 13, preferably by ultraviolet radiation (ie by at least one wavelength between 10 nm and 380 nm, preferably between 180 nm and 380 nm), when the drawer 13 passes from its external position to its internal position.

This decontamination is therefore arranged to destroy bacteria and/or viruses inside drawer 13.

The at least one drawer 13 may include:

• at least one refrigerated drawer 13 i.e. arranged to maintain the constant of the drawer 13 at a temperature below a threshold value; typically below 12°C, preferably below 5°C, for plants or products to be kept or consumed, and/or
• at least one non-refrigerated drawer 13, for waste.

System 1 includes several distinct culture spaces 3, the control station 7 being shared for all culture spaces 3.

System 1 further includes:

- means 31 to build a database comprising, for each plant and/or product of a plant, a follow-up over time (in the form of a meta-film):

* images of this plant and/or product, and/or

* physical parameters measured on this plant or this product, and

- Means 32 for determining a status of this plant or product and/or a recommended action for this plant or product from the data of the database.

A meta-movie is therefore a sub-part of the database.

The system comprises means 33 for analyzing actions, on the plant or product, of a user of the control station 7, and computer and/or electronic learning means 34 of a recommended action to be carried out on a plant or product according to its status.

Preferably, all the means 31, 32, 33, and 34 comprise the same technical means 30.

Typically, each of the means 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 comprises at least one computer, a central or computing unit, an analog electronic circuit (preferably dedicated), a digital electronic circuit (preferably dedicated), and/or a microprocessor (preferably dedicated), and/or software means.

The means 30 typically comprise an Artificial Intelligence (AI) 30 stored in the communication means 8 (i.e. on the Cloud 81).

The control means 17 and/or the AI 30 are arranged to control (if applicable) the robotic arm 4 according to the recommended action without the intervention of a user of the station 7.

The display means 10 are also arranged to display the status or the recommended action concerning the plant or product imaged by the display means 10.

Each plant is identified in the culture space 3 by a barcode.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the arm 4 comprises a connector 51 arranged to connect and fix a tool 5 to the arm 4 from among the various tools 5 available. Connector 51 includes electrical connections 52 for powering and sending control signals to tool 5 connected to arm 4. Connector 51 includes at least one latch 53 (typically coil latch) for holding attached to arm 4 the tool 5 connected to arm 4. Connector 51 includes at least one centering form 54 to facilitate centering of tool 5 connected to arm 4.

Tool 5 is interchangeable directly in Farm 3, which allows the applications of Arm 4 to evolve at the same time as the applications of Farm 3.

A volume on the path of the means of displacement 2, 21, 22 transporting the arm 4 is allocated to the change of tool 5: the arm 4 places the tool used 4 in this dedicated volume, it dissociates itself from it, then seizes of the new tool 5 before binding to it.

Tools 5 available in Farm 3 include for example:

- Clamps 55 (as illustrated in Figure 6). A motor makes it possible to change the inclination of the clamp 55 around an axis of rotation 58. A motor makes it possible to vary the opening 59 of the clamps. The clamp 55 allows:

* to grab the baskets in which the plants grow to lift them and check the condition of the roots and the plumbing

* various maintenance operations in farm 3

* to seize the seeds in a special packaging to be seized by this tip. The packaging must simply be placed in the culture basket to activate the germination of the seed

- motorized scissors 56 combined with a basket 57 (as illustrated in figure 8) and/or wide motorized blades 60 combined with a basket 57 (as illustrated in figure 7): this allows the cuttings and the picking of herbs (the aromatics are recovered by the basket and deposited in a drawer 13 fitted with a cooler and intended for harvesting), the weeds are recovered by the basket 57 and thrown (via the at least one drawer 13) out of the farm so as not to not let them rot.

Arm 4 is therefore capable of planting, cutting, picking and maintaining via a remote pilot.

We will now describe a first embodiment of the culture and/or learning method according to the invention, implemented in the system 1.

This embodiment includes the following steps for a given culture space 3 (also called farm 3 in the present description) of system 1.

This culture space 3 regulates (by means 11) and/or measures (by means 12) at least one physical parameter within this culture space 3, such as temperature, humidity, CO ₂ level , a spectrometric measurement, a luminosity, and/or an ethylene content.

For example, if the optimal growth conditions do not correspond to the conditions in farm 3 (the temperature drops, the light is off too long, etc.) the AI 30 automatically activates the actuators 11 scattered in farm 3 to restore the conditions normal. If this does not change anything within the hour, it deduces that there is a malfunction and sends an alert message to the operator.

Each measured parameter is stored in the database.

At step 101 of mapping, each plant is identified in at least one culture space 3 by a barcode. The farm 3 is organized so that each plant is identified by a geographical location 6 entered manually by the user (for example, row 2, bin 3, plant 4 = tomato) from the control station 7, and at each new species the user (also called operator or grower or farmer or user or pilot in the present description) completes the database and can manually enter information (species, optimum temperature, required light, etc.). Further data will be added by Artificial Intelligence (AI) as it learns about this species, as explained below.

The means 9 know the route of the robotic arm 4 (to which they are attached) and all the possible plant locations 6 within the farm 3. Each of these locations is identified in the database as empty or occupied. In the case where a plant grows there, the bar code identifying it read by the means 9, makes it possible to mention automatically, and not manually, location, date of planting and type of plant (example: row 2, tray 3, plant 4 = beefsteak tomato, planted September 3, 2019). That said, the user can modify/add to the database manually.

A step 102 of constructing a metafilm is implemented periodically, for example every 5 hours. During each iteration of step 102, the robotic arm 4 automatically traverses the farm 3 and analyzes each plant. At each iteration of step 102, we record (step 103) in the metafilm for each plant or location 6:

- at least one photo of the plant,

- information (number, color, and/or size) on recognition of at least one product (said product being typically a stem, leaf, fruit, vegetable, root, onion, and/or flower) of this plant; and or

- information on a stage or status of the plant (one of germination, vegetative, flowering, fruiting, dead); and or

- information on a recommended action on the plant (one of nothing, planting, cutting, picking, throwing away)); and or

- physical parameters relating to the plant (measured by means 12): humidity, temperature, CO ₂ , maturity.

Image recognition is done by learning, when a new element appears, the AI 30 tries to guess its nature, to which the operator can respond remotely with "yes" or "no"

To. "No" generates another proposal by the AI 30

b. "Yes" leads to the recording in the matrix of the plant considered of the data of this element to recognize it later.

For each plant, the meta-movie is stored on cloud 81. This information pertains to the growth from seed to death for each plant. A virtual universe can be created with this information to speed up AI learning 30.

A command for an action by the user, from the control station 7, acts on the culture space 3, this action comprising:

- a movement of the display means 9 of this culture space 3, preferably a rotation of the display means 9 according to a rotational movement of the helmet and/or glasses 10 worn by the user, and/or a translation of the display means 9 (carried by the arm 4) according to a movement on the control means 17 (typically on the joystick) moving the arm 4 and therefore simultaneously the display means 9, and or

- a command, by the control means 17, of the robotic arm 4 of the at least one culture space 3 via the communication means 8, comprising:

a) a command (step 104), by the control means 17, of the moving means 2 so as to move the robotic arm 4 of this culture space 3 between the different locations 6 of this culture space 3; the control means 17 control a movement of the robotic arm 4 between the different locations 6, vertically and/or horizontally, by moving the arm 4 along the horizontal rails 22 and/or the vertical rails 21 and/or

b) a command (step 111), by the command means 17, of actions of the robotic arm 4 of this culture space 3, said actions comprising manipulation, by the robotic arm 4, of the plants and/or of these plants arranged in the slots 6. For example, the robotic arm 4 of this culture space 3 picks plants and/or products in this culture space 3 and places them in the container of the drawer 13 in its internal position; then the drawer 13 moves from its internal position to its external position; then the contents of drawer 13 are removed from drawer 13; then the drawer 13 passes from its external position to its internal position and the means for sterilizing the drawer 13 sterilizes the container of the drawer 13, preferably by ultraviolet radiation, when the drawer passes from its external position to its internal position. This allows any contaminants to be removed before returning to Farm 3.

For example, the operator begins to position (step 104) the arm 4 in front of a plant or location 6 thanks to the means 17.

The display means 10 display the at least one measured physical parameter and/or a recommended action (determined as described below) and/or data relating to the plant being displayed on the means 10.

The information from the database is displayed on the means 10 of the operator when he looks at the plant considered with the camera 9 of the robotic arm 4, according to an “augmented reality” process. He also has access to information from the sensors 12 in real time: for example, he looks at a tomato, at the top left he sees the species, its date of planting, its optimum temperature, etc. at the top right of the screen he sees the current temperature of the farm etc.

The display means 9 of this culture space 3 capture an image of the locations and/or of the robotic arm 4 of this culture space 3 (even in the absence of visible radiation between 400 and 800 nm), and the means of display (i.e. helmet and/or glasses 10) display this image to a user. Thus the camera 9 makes it possible to see the farm 3 even at night (night vision) without disturbing the growth of the plants which could be awakened with only a few photons and could leave the flowering stage to return to the vegetative stage if the light cycles are not respected. Farm 3 is therefore accessible any day of the year and at any time.

When the operator looks at this plant or location 6 via the means 9 and 10, the AI 30 accesses the database (step 105) then analyzes the changes in the meta-movie of this plant since its last connection (step 106 ) and guess (step 107) in which stage the plant is (among the five mentioned above). The operator can then validate (step 108) by "yes" or "no" and this information which is stored in the database of the plant.

The AI 30 then proposes (step 109) an action (among the five mentioned above) recommended for this plant. The operator can then validate (step 110) with “yes” or “no” and this information is stored in the database of the plant. Then (step 111):

• in the event of "yes": the operator controls, by the control means 17, the action of the arm 4 or the control means 17 and/or the AI 30 controls the robotic arm 4 according to the recommended action without intervention from a user of extension 7
• in the event of "no" the operator himself controls, by the control means 17, the action of the arm 4.

The AI 30 then registers (step 112) the movement of the robotic arm controlled by the operator for this action (it learns "How to perform the action")

Thus each plant has a sub-part of the database which is filled as the farms 3 are used and will lead after a few years to a perfect autonomy of the farms for the plants studied by the IA 30.

Thus, this embodiment of the method according to the invention comprises learning, said learning comprising:

- construction of a database including, for each plant and/or product of a plant, monitoring over time:
* images of this plant and/or product, and/or
* physical parameters measured on this plant or this product, and
- a determination of a status of this plant or product and/or a recommended action for this plant or product from the data of the database.

The learning further comprises an analysis of the actions, on the plant or product, of a user of the control station 7, and computer and/or electronic learning of a recommended action to be carried out on a plant or product according to his status.

Following this learning:

• the display means 10 also display the status (step 108) or the action (step 110) recommended concerning the plant or product imaged by the display means 9; the user remains in the control station 7, and is helped in his decision of actions that he performs (step 111) himself, or
• the control means 17 and/or the AI 30 control the robotic arm 4 according to the recommended action without user intervention; the user then no longer needs to be present in the control station 7, which corresponds to the autonomy stage of the system 1.

The AI 30, for this learning, performs image recognition, stage recognition, action to be performed, etc. all from data obtained under control and of which we know the desired result. The remote operator observes in real time and can correct/validate the choice of AI 30. It is therefore a supervised type learning technology, preferably implemented by a neural network.

The AI 30 varies or is arranged to vary the actuators 11 from their initial conditions to itself create a new set of random data (such as for example increasing the temperature, increasing the calcium, etc.). Rewards or punishments are allocated to him according to the result, including typically:

• a punishment if a plant is dead or if the results are less satisfactory than with the initial conditions, or
• a reward if the growth of the plant is accelerated, or if the fruits are larger, more colorful (with this set of qualitative data, the farm can carry out these experiments in autonomy).

These outcomes for assigning a punishment or reward may include:

• a score given by the operator on the taste of the product after leaving the farm, and/or
• a content of a product in the plant, for example hyperspectral to measure for example the sugar content of the plant, and/or chlorophyll (in aromatics)…

It is reinforcement learning, which can use a known reinforcement learning solution. This learning is much faster with a starting point, i.e. the plant database (manually entered by the operator mainly at the level of climatic and nutrient recipes). For example, we know that the temperature of such a plant is defined at 26°C to have satisfactory growth and the AI 30 can start to vary at 27, 28 or 24, 25°C, the expected results for each condition being probably in a range of data close to the initial data.

This learning by reinforcement, contrary to the previous supervised learning, makes it possible to induce stress on the plants (temperature too high for a short time, stop watering, increase in the force of the wind) and to deduce those capable of improve the quality of the products, and therefore refine the growth conditions initially entered.

The control station 7 is shared for all the culture spaces 3. Thus, all the previous steps are preferably implemented for all the culture spaces 3. Using this system 1, the same cultivator user (typically trained in France) can in the comfort of his office take care of multiple crop spaces 3 scattered anywhere in the world provided that an internet connection allows access to these spaces 3. The farms 3 are connected between them, and share the software (AI 30) present on the cloud 81. Thus the more farms 3 there are, the faster the learning.

The 3 farms are connected to each other by wifi.

The arm 4 and the camera 9 communicate by wifi with the virtual reality headset 10 which is broadcast on a live signal ("live feed" in English) via a virtual reality (VR) application coded in the development environment virtual reality helmet 10 (which is typically an “oculus rift” model helmet).

The “live feed” from each camera 9 is sent to the cloud 8, 81 as well as the information from the sensors 12.

It is on the cloud 8, 81 that the calculations are carried out by the AI 30 and the stored database. Then, from the cloud 8, 81 the information is sent to the virtual reality headset 10 to give the user the opportunity to see the plant in 3D and to act on it through the joysticks 17. On the video sent on the virtual reality helmet 10 are superimposed the information that helps the operator's decision-making (ethylene reading, from the spectrometer, analysis of the AI 30: health of the plant, stage of the plant, size of the fruit, its weight evaluated by the robotic arm etc.)

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and many adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

Culture system (1), comprising:
- at least one culture space (3) comprising:
* different locations (6) for plants,
* a robotic arm (4) equipped with at least one tool (5)
* moving means (2) arranged to move the robotic arm between these different locations
- electronic and/or computer means of communication (8),
- a control station (7) remote from the at least one culture space and comprising control means (17) arranged to control the robotic arm of each culture space via the communication means, the control means being arranged to control the moving means so as to move the robotic arm of this culture space between the different locations of this culture space and/or to control actions of the robotic arm of this culture space
said system being characterized in that each culture space comprises a drawer (13) arranged to pass between:
- an internal position for which the container of the drawer is accessible from inside this culture space but inaccessible from outside this culture space, and
- an external position for which the container of the drawer is accessible from outside this culture space but inaccessible from inside this culture space
the robotic arm of this culture space being arranged to pick plants and/or products in this culture space and deposit them in the container of the drawer in its internal position
the drawer further comprising sterilization means arranged to sterilize the container of the drawer, preferably by ultraviolet radiation, when the drawer moves from its external position to its internal position. System according to Claim 1, characterized in that each culture space further comprises display means (9) arranged to capture an image of the locations and/or of the robotic arm of this culture space, the control station comprising means display (10) arranged to display this image. System according to Claim 2, characterized in that the display means comprise a helmet and/or glasses arranged to display the image to a user. System according to Claim 3, characterized in that the control means comprise the helmet and/or the glasses, arranged to move the display means according to a movement of the helmet and/or the glasses. System according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the display means comprise a camera placed on the robotic arm, preferably at the end of the robotic arm equipped with the at least one tool. System according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the display means are arranged to image objects in the absence of visible radiation between 400 and 800 nm. System according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the display means are arranged to capture an image of the locations according to a solid angle of at least 2π steradians, preferably according to a solid angle of 4π steradians. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control means comprise means for controlling a movement of the robotic arm between the different locations, vertically and/or horizontally. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one cultivation space is a vertical cultivation space, comprising at least one vertical stack of places for plants, preferably several rows of vertical stacks places for plants. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means of movement comprise horizontal and/or vertical rails (21, 22) along which the robotic arm is arranged to move. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one culture space is a closed space. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one culture space comprises means (11) for regulating and/or means (12) for measuring at least one physical parameter within this culture space, such as a temperature, a humidity, a CO ₂ level, a spectrometry measurement, a luminosity, and/or an ethylene level. System according to Claim 12 considered dependent on any one of Claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the display means are also arranged to display the at least one physical parameter measured. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises several distinct culture spaces, the control station being shared for all the culture spaces. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises:
- means (30) for building a database comprising, for each plant and/or product of a plant, monitoring over time:
* images of this plant and/or product, and/or
* physical parameters measured on this plant or this product, and
- means (30) for determining a status of this plant or product and/or a recommended action for this plant or product from the data in the database. System according to Claim 15, characterized in that it comprises means (30) for analyzing the actions, on the plant or product, of a user of the control station, and computer learning means (30) and/ or electronic of a recommended action to be carried out on a plant or product according to its status. System according to Claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the control means are arranged to control the robotic arm according to the recommended action without intervention by a user. System according to any one of Claims 15 to 17 considered as dependent on any one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the display means are further arranged to display the status or the recommended action concerning the plant or product imaged by the display means. System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each plant is identified in the at least one culture space by a barcode. Cultivation method, implemented in a system (1) comprising:
- at least one culture space (3) comprising:
* different locations (6) for plants,
* a robotic arm (4) equipped with at least one tool (5)
* moving means (2) arranged to move the robotic arm between these different locations
- electronic and/or computer means of communication (8),
- a control station (7) remote from the at least one culture space and comprising control means (17)
said method comprising the following steps
- control, by the control means, of the robotic arm of the at least one culture space via the communication means, comprising:
a) control, by the control means, of the moving means so as to move the robotic arm of this culture space between the different locations of this culture space and/or
b) control, by the control means, of actions of the robotic arm of this culture space, said actions comprising manipulation, by the robotic arm, of the plants and/or products of these plants placed in the locations
each growing space including a drawer that passes between:
- an internal position for which the container of the drawer is accessible from inside this culture space but inaccessible from outside this culture space, and
- an external position for which the container of the drawer is accessible from outside this culture space but inaccessible from inside this culture space
the robotic arm of this culture space picking plants and/or products in this culture space and depositing them in the container of the drawer in its internal position
the drawer further comprising sterilization means sterilizing the container of the drawer, preferably by ultraviolet radiation, when the drawer moves from its external position to its internal position.