Force Feedback Simulation Design for Fruit Hardness

Abstract

Hardness value is one of the decisive criteria for fruit harvest period. It is important for harvest yield that the harvesting personnel knows the differences of this value with respect to the fruits. Especially in industrial harvesting, the use of simulations in personnel training and student education in agricultural faculties will be efficient in terms of saving time. Within the scope of this study, the hardness values of the selected fruits (apple and tomato) were measured using a penetrometer. Data from the penetrometer were transferred to objects (fruit) modeled in high resolution. User interface design has been realized by using various graphic libraries. In the interaction (collision) of the objects displayed in the graphic interface provided by the software developed within the scope of the research with the haptic cursor, a force feedback was transmitted to the user via the haptic device. In this way, a simulation design has been made that allows users to conceptualize and distinguish the hardness values of certain fruits by touching them. This study can be extended in the next steps by adding fruits with different hardness values to the simulation.