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Start BBot collection via the “run” button on the “Traversal” tab
Stick around for at least the first two rows to ensure everything is working properly. If the BBot is not rolling forward after a row, then the auto button on the Amiga interface is likely in the wrong state (the joystick light should be blue or orange, not white).
Move the color checker, once it will no longer be in anymore images, to a new spot ahead of the BBot. I personally put it at the start of every species. It is good to have the color checker in a batch several times, as lighting conditions do change throughout the day.
Every now and then, when BBot reaches the ends of a row, check these outermost photos to make sure the pot is fully in the frame and no Amiga is in frame. If either of these happened, then your camera may not be parallel to the ground, or you may need to adjust BBot’s position with the joystick.
Depending on site, you may have to replace the flash battery every once and a while.
At MD, our BBot does not charge the flash as it goes along, so the battery is not gaining any charge. I find that the Battery lasts about 2.5 species normally, so I like to change it out at the end of the second species and the end of the fourth species. Make sure to pause the BBot traversal before doing so, and also when you slip the new battery in, turn the flash on. The flash does not automatically turn on (even if it was still on when your removed the old battery), so you will have to manually turn it on again. Always have your flash batteries charging in case you are ready at any moment.
6.
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Packing-Up
Return BBot to its starting position.
Unplug the camera cable, and screw the USB-port cap back onto the BBot box.
Take the camera off the BBot. At the triangle mounting spot, there is a little tab you will need to press in to disengage the mount. When holding that tab in, you will be able to lift the camera/flash out. I like to have one hand dedicated to the tab, and another below the flash, holding it and pushing up.
Pack away any accessories you brought out (Color Checker, Tweezers, etc.).
Turn off Amiga batteries and unplug them.
Bring everything inside, and charge all batteries so that they are ready for the next batch collection.
7. Trouble Shooting
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Can’t connect to Wifi or can’t remote into the mini computer
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check that the emergency break isn’t activated
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Issues
Basic Troubleshooting Tips:
Reboot BBot
Check that the emergency breaks (red buttons on the yellow square) aren’t active. They should be lifted so that you can see a strip of black below them, indicating the brakes are not on.
Check that you have a connection to Wifi. On the BBot interface, there will be a Wifi signal icon in the top right corner of the screen. Advanced Wifi settings can be looked at in settings if there is no signal.
Check Amiga settings are properly set.
Check that camera and flash are turned on, and plugged into the BBot.
If you are receiving “Missing JPG/RAW”, “Missing JPG”, or image always loading issues, we believe this is caused by an issue with the camera having a proper connection to BBot. Steps you can take to try to remedy this:
Unplugging the camera cable from both ports several times. Try to image after each attempt.
Dismounting the camera and moving it a little bit. Take its battery out, put it back in, etc. Doing anything to maybe jostle something back into place.
Rebooting BBot.
If BBot starts taking images in the same spot and seems unable to move (both X-Axis and Y-Axis motors), I have had success just restarting the BBot app with that every time. Just close the app and reopen it.
Examples of Plant Spacing and Non-Target Weeds
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