Design of an Autonomous Pipe-Cleaning Robot for Small-Scale Hydroponic Systems

Authors

  • Muhammad Nazrin Shah Bin Shahrol Aman Universiti Malaysia Perlis
  • Zainal Abidin Arsat
  • Akif Syafiru bin Shukor

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58915/ijaris.v1i1.2262

Keywords:

Acrylic Plastic, Cleaning Devices, Hydroponic, Mobile Robot, Pipeline

Abstract

Hydroponic farming offers a sustainable solution to food insecurity, especially in developing countries, by enabling high-yield crop production with minimal land and water usage. However, one major challenge in hydroponic systems is the frequent clogging of PVC pipes due to debris from growing media and the buildup of algae, which thrives under high humidity and limited sunlight. These blockages not only reduce system efficiency but also increase the risk of plant diseases that can compromise entire harvests. To address this issue, this research focuses on the design and development of a compact mobile robot capable of cleaning hydroponic pipes. The robot is designed using SolidWorks and simulated in Tinkercad, targeting a 4-inch (110 mm) diameter PVC pipe with a length of 3 feet. It incorporates the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor to detect obstacles and uses acrylic as the structural material. The performance of the robot was tested against three types of common pipe obstructions: small stones, sand and grass roots. Experimental results show that the robot can navigate through the hydroponic pipe and partially remove debris, although complete cleaning remains challenging due to space constraints and the complexity of internal pipe conditions. This work demonstrates a low-cost, automated solution for maintaining hydroponic systems and highlights areas for further optimization in design and control.

 

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Published

2025-08-05

How to Cite

Bin Shahrol Aman, M. N. S., Arsat, Z. A., & bin Shukor, A. S. (2025). Design of an Autonomous Pipe-Cleaning Robot for Small-Scale Hydroponic Systems. International Journal of Autonomous Robotics and Intelligent Systems (IJARIS), 1(1), 25–36. https://doi.org/10.58915/ijaris.v1i1.2262

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Articles