Development of a Solar-Powered Robotic Arm With an Installed Solar Tracker

This research focuses on utilising solar power to drive robotic systems, reducing dependency on conventional energy sources and minimising environmental impact. The robotic arm is designed with three degrees of freedom (3DOF), enabling a wide range of motion and precise control suitable for various industrial tasks. The system incorporates servomotors controlled by an Arduino board, the central processing unit for executing commands and managing inputs from multiple sensors. Using servo motors ensures high precision and repeatability in the arm's movements, which is crucial for tasks requiring meticulous handling and positioning. A significant feature of the system is the solar tracker, which optimises the capture of solar energy by continuously adjusting the orientation of the photovoltaic (PV) cells to face the Sun. This maximises the efficiency of energy conversion and storage. These batteries provide a reliable power source for the robotic arm, ensuring continuous operation even during periods of low sunlight or power outages. The results of the designed robotic arm were 80% efficient. Furthermore, the developed robotic arms could lift 7.5g of weight, and its efficiency is 75%. The project integrates several innovative solutions to address common automation challenges like system reliability and maintenance complexity.