Robotic seed-planting apparatus and methods

An apparatus for removing seeds contained in a donor container and for planting the seeds in selected planting cells, the apparatus comprising:

• seed-removal means for removing seeds from the donor container;
• seed-alignment means for receiving seeds from the seed-removal means, wherein seeds deposited in the seed-alignment means form a row of seeds therein;
• and
• seed-planting means for removing seeds from the alignment means and for planting the seeds in selected planting cells.

A method of planting seeds comprising:

• positioning a first probe at a first position to remove a plurality of seeds from a donor container, the first probe having an end portion defining a plurality of apertures each smaller than a seed;
• applying a vacuum to the first probe to cause the first probe to pick up the plurality of seeds;
• positioning the first probe at a second position to deposit the seeds carried by the first probe into a seed-alignment container;
• releasing the vacuum from the first probe to cause the seeds carried by the first probe to be released into the seed-alignment container to align the seeds;
• positioning a second probe at the seed-alignment container to remove a selected number of seeds from the seed-alignment container;
• applying a vacuum to the second probe to cause the second probe to pick up a selected number of seeds from the seed-alignment container;
• positioning the second probe at a third position to plant the selected number of seeds;
• and
• releasing the vacuum from the second probe to cause the selected number of seeds to be released from the second probe for planting.

An apparatus for handling seeds, comprising:

• means for picking up a plurality of loose seeds from a container;
• means for picking up a selected number of loose seeds from a container;
• and
• a seed-alignment means for receiving seeds from said means for picking up a plurality of seeds and for forming a row of seeds deposited therein;
• wherein said means for picking up a plurality of seeds comprises a first probe having an end surface configured to pick up a plurality of seeds whenever vacuum is applied to the probe and the end surface is positioned proximately to the plurality of seeds;
• said seed-alignment means comprises a seed-dispersing container for receiving the plurality of seeds from the first probe, wherein when the plurality of seeds are deposited in the seed-dispersing container, the seeds are caused to disperse and form an array along a surface of the seed-dispersing container;
• and
• said means for picking up a selected number of seeds comprises a second probe for picking up and planting seeds deposited in the seed-dispersing container, the second probe having an end surface configured to pick up a selected number of seeds from the seed-dispersing container whenever vacuum is applied to the probe and the end surface is positioned proximately to the seeds.