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1. Prior Day Preparations

  •   Ensure all required equipment is fully charged and functional.
  •  Prepare necessary supplies (color checkers, measuring tape, small step ladder, grease gun, etc.).
  •   Verify the availability of power sources (BBot, flash, camera, and other devices).

2. Supplies Checklist

  •  Flash battery charged.
  •  BB camera power cable ready.
  •  4 charged Amiga Lithium-Ion batteries with battery keys.
  •  Ethernet cable for data transfer.
  •  Color checkers (large and passport versions).
  •  UI protective cover.
  •  Measuring tape.

3. Potting Area Maintenance

3.1 Debris Removal

  •  Use a leaf blower to clear debris from the surface of the landscape fabric.
  •  Ensure debris is not blown into the pots.
  •  Manually remove any remaining loose materials.

3.2 Individual Plant Spacing

  •  Identify and thin out any overlapping plants.
  •  Ensure clear separation between plants.
  •  Fully clean and space the first 8–10 rows before starting BBot imaging.
  •  Continue spacing and cleaning remaining rows while the BBot is imaging.

3.3 Weed Potting Area

  •  Remove all overlapping target weeds from pots.
  •  Check and remove non-target weeds from:
    •  Inside the pots.
    •  Underneath the pots.
    •  The surrounding landscape fabric.
  •  Uproot, shake off soil, and dispose of removed weeds in a designated bucket or bag.
  •  Ensure no removed weeds or debris are left in the imaging area.
  •  Avoid being in the images while removing weeds.

4. Camera, Flash & BBot Setup

4.1 Camera & Flash Setup

  •  Attach the camera securely to the BBot bracket.
  •  Check and set camera aperture, focus, and flash power according to the settings table.
  •  Confirm the correct height from the lens to the potting soil using a measuring tape.
  •  Place the color checker in the frame of the starting position.
  •  Open the BBot app and take a test image.

4.2 Attaching the SVCam

  •  Securely attach the SVCam to the BBot.
  •  Plug in all necessary cables before powering on the BBot to avoid potential damage.

4.3 BBot Setup

  •  Ensure the gantry is properly aligned and locked into place.
  •  Position the BBot camera over the first row.
  •  Adjust motor speed to 4 bars (value of 80).
  •  Verify auto-control is enabled before beginning image collection.

5. Test Image Collection

  •  Place color checkers in their designated starting positions.
  •  Take a test image and confirm:
    •  Flash is triggering correctly.
    •  No visible image quality issues.
    •  BBot wheels or frame are not in the image frame.

6. Begin the Batch

  •  Place two color checkers in the potting area: one ~15 cm above the pots, one at pot height.
  •  Input species count, pot spacing, and other settings.
  •  Start BBot collection using the "Run" button in the Traversal tab.
  •  Monitor the first two rows to confirm proper function.
  •  Move the color checker as the BBot progresses to ensure proper calibration.
  •  Check outermost images to ensure no parts of the Amiga frame are visible.

7. Packing Up

  •  Return BBot to its starting position.
  •  Power off the BBot and remove all batteries.
  •  Disconnect all cables and cover ports to protect from dust.
  •  Carefully remove the camera from the BBot and store it securely.
  •  Pack away all accessories (color checkers, measuring tape, step ladder, etc.).
  •  Bring all equipment indoors and recharge batteries for the next session.

8. Troubleshooting

8.1 "Missing JPG/RAW" or "Image Loading Indefinitely"

  •  Check camera connections by unplugging and reinserting cables.
  •  Remove and replace the camera battery.
  •  Restart the BBot and try again.

8.2 BBot Stuck in the Same Spot (X & Y Axis Motors Not Moving)

  •  Restart the BBot app.
  •  Verify the Auto button is enabled.

8.3 No Images Taken

  •  Ensure all cables are securely plugged in.
  •  Restart the BBot and camera connection.
  •  Access the mini-computer and execute localhost:5000/image to check for errors.
  •  Make sure the camera is connected before turning on the BBot.
  •  Power cycle the BBot and camera if necessary.