## Lifestyle

## Environmental Sciences

# Washington Palm Pruning Robot - Industrializing Student Design -

Keyword: Industrializing student design, Problem-solving, Protection of natural beauty, Advanced technology

Organizations Involved

○ Yoshihiro Kawano, Professor and Takaaki Ohtake, Professor, Kagoshima National College of Technology (hereafter KNCT)

○ Hiroki Kirino, President, Limited Company Hayato Techno

○ Shiro Yoshidome, Chief Director, Kagoshima Industry Support Center

Professor Kawano Professor Ohtake President Kirino Chief Director Yoshidome

## 【Abstract】

We took out a patent on the intellectual property that was obtained through collaborative research between KNCT and regional industries that originated in a student design research problem. By utilizing the production know-how of industries, we developed a robot for pruning tall evergreen Washington palms and then established a KNCT venture business, Limited Company Hayato Techno.

## [Summary of the technology transfer]

●Technological Impact We automated the work of cutting high branches that had previously been done manually, thus making working conditions safer, improving worker efficiency, and contributing to advanced mechatronics technology (the problem is that work at heights is dangerous and expensive. Automation reduces the danger and the cost).

●Market Impact A technique that contributes to pruning branches of tall trees was developed and the venture business was established in order to utilize the result of the research. The prevention of conventional dangerous work and cost reduction contributed to the market.

●Social Impact Use of the robot that we developed streamlines the pruning of tall evergreen Washington palms in the tropical and subtropical regions and protects natural beauty in the southern country. It is highly valued as the result of the cooperation between KNCT,

regional industries and governmental agencies. (There are tens of thousands of Washington palms in the main facilities and parks.)

●Special Features of the Collaboration Through cooperation between KNCT, regional industries and governmental agencies, the student design automatic Washington palm pruning robot machine was developed and the accomplishment was industrialized. Supported officially by Kagoshima Industry Support Center, the KNCT advanced technology led to practicality through technology transfer to the KNCT venture business, Hayato Techno. The significance of collaborative research through the cooperation between KNCT, regional industries and governmental agencies was confirmed.

## Project Background

The development and transfer of technology with the first prize in the student venture business plan contest awarded by Kagoshima Industry Support Center.

The practicality of the climbing Washington palm pruning machine.

## Funding History

1. Kagoshima Industry Support Center Grant, The 2003, The 2005

2. Kagoshima Prefecture Trial Order System Application (the 2006 business)

## I ntellectual property protection

Patent acquisition: Domestic 1

Climbing Branch Pruning Machine

Patent No. 3924640, Japan

## Pruning Palms with Automatic Climbing Machine

In pruning tall evergreen Washington palms, the conventional work at a height was streamlined by using the automatic climbing robot to do work that had been done manually.

## Conventional Work

High branches of the palms pruned manually

## Turning point in the Project

It is necessary to have a proper realization of the purpose, level and period of development. It is indispensable to have consciousness of the progress and management of development in common. It is important to understand the accomplishment of the purpose and the construction of mutual cooperation.