Laser remote sensor for oil palm fruit ripeness assessment

• Main Authors: Kok, Sing Lim, Wan Rushdiah, Rusik, Amirul Al-Hafiz, Abd. Hamid, Cheong, Weng Ooi, Waldo, Udos, Mohd Shiraz, Aris, Mohd Zulfahmi, Mohd Yusof, Harikrishsna, Kulaveerasingam, Wu, Yi Chong, Mohamad Faizal, Ismail, Harith, Ahmad
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2024
• Subjects: S Agriculture (General); TK Electrical engineering. Electronics Nuclear engineering
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/45059/1/SPIE.pdf; http://eprints.um.edu.my/45059/; https://spie.org/PW24L/conferencedetails/photonic-technologies-in-plant-and-agricultural-science#_=_
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

The color change of oil palm fresh fruit bunches (FFB) is one of the important parameter for harvesting decisions. However, human visual identification is prone to errors due to uncontrolled ambient lighting and the far distance of fruit bunches on tall palm trees. These errors can lead to inaccurate harvesting and significant revenue loss. This study introduces a laser remote sensor for non-destructive FFB ripeness assessment. Based on the unique spectral reflection curves of the FFO at different ripeness, laser modules at three different wavelenghts (visible-NIR region) have been employed for the measurement. The photodetector and laser sources are configured in a coaxial manner to enable long work distances up 10 9m. This portable laser remote sensor has undergone successful on-plant testing in oil palm estates with measurements validated against oil content by conventional bunch analysis. It is a potential tool for precision harvesting and oil yield prediction.