Design of an autonomous pipe-cleaning robot for small-scale hydroponic systems

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.