Technology Evolution of Natural Rubber Harvesting Mechanization

This book focuses on a specialized area within agricultural engineering: the application of advanced technologies to natural rubber harvesting. It explores both current and emerging solutions in robotics, sensing, and automation―including AI-based detection models, autonomous navigation, path planning algorithms, and tapping machines. By integrating theoretical principles with practical insights, the work addresses real-world challenges in automating rubber tapping. Moreover, it traces the technological evolution of natural rubber harvesting, from traditional manual practices to today's intelligent automation systems.

Designed for undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in smart agriculture and agricultural robotics, this book also serves as a valuable resource for growers, engineers, stakeholders, and scientists involved in natural rubber production, offering both useful information and innovative perspectives.

Dr. Zhang Xirui received his Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Mechanization Engineering from China Agricultural University, Beijing, China, in 2010. Since 2010, he has published over 100 peer-reviewed academic papers (32 of which are indexed by SCI/EI) and holds 28 authorized invention patents as the first inventor. Dr. Zhang is a recipient of the First Class Prize of Hainan Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award (2024), and the Second Class Prize of Hainan Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award three times (2020, 2021, 2023). He was selected as a Shennong Young Talent by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022, elected as the National "Most Beautiful Agricultural Machinery Teacher" in 2023, and rated as an Excellent Graduate Supervisor of Hainan Province in 2024.

Dr. Junxiao Liu received his Ph.D. in Agricultural Mechanization Engineering from China Agricultural University in 2021. He has won one first prize and one second prize of the Science and Technology Progress Award of Hainan Province, China, which recognized his outstanding research achievements in the fields of natural rubber tapping equipment and banana straw returning equipment. He is a reviewer for multiple journals such as Industrial Crops and Products and has received the Annual Excellent Paper Award of Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Machinery. He is also a Local Chair for the ICRAE International Conference in 2025.

Dr. Zhifu Zhang received his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, His work earned him the First Prize in the 2023 Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award in Hainan Province. In teaching innovation, Dr. Zhang guided a graduate student to lead a Hainan Provincial Postgraduate Innovation Research Project in 2024, and received the First Prize in Hainan University's 2025 University-Level Teaching Achievement Award.

Dong Xuehu is a researcher and a member of the Jiusan Society. He is recognized as a Class D High-Level Talent in Hainan Province.Mr. Dong has long been engaged in the research, development, improvement, and extension of tropical agricultural machinery. He has led 11 scientific research projects (including 8 at the provincial and ministerial level), received 7 provincial and ministerial scientific and technological awards (including 2 second prizes and 5 third prizes), and been granted 5 national patents (including 2 invention patents). He has published 35 papers (12 as the first or corresponding author), 3 monographs, and holds 2 computer software copyrights. He has also developed 5 special appraisal outlines and 1 group standard. In 2023, he was recognized as an Advanced Individual in the National Agricultural and Rural System.

Zhang Pei is a Senior Engineer primarily engaged in agricultural machinery testing, appraisal, scientific research, extension, and standardization. He has led 8 agricultural machinery research, development, and extension projects, received 3 provincial and ministerial scientific and technological awards, and been granted 2 national invention patents. He has published 5 papers and 1 monograph, and has organized and participated in the development of 6 special appraisal outlines.

Dr. Zhao Zhang received his B.E. and M.E. degrees in Industrial Engineering and Agricultural Mechanization from Northwest A&F University in 2009 and 2012, respectively, and the Ph.D. degree in Agricultural Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, U.S., in 2015. Since Nov. 2021, Dr. Zhang has been in College of Information and Electrical Engineering, China Agricultural University as a Professor.