Image‐based crop row detection utilizing the Hough transform and DBSCAN clustering analysis

Abstract More accurate methods for crop row detection benefit intelligent operation of agricultural machinery, especially avoiding mishandling or crushing crops. For achieving such a target, a traditional method combining the ExGR exponents, Otsu algorithm, Canny method, Hough transform and DBSCAN clustering analysis is proposed so that centerlines of crop rows can be detected effectively without manual intervention. Specifically, ExGR exponents are first adopted to gray green plants. The threshold of binarization will be further obtained by the Otsu algorithm. Further adopting the edge detection algorithm (Canny), edges of crops can be determined. Finally, combining the Hough transform and DBSCAN clustering analysis, the crop row detection is effectively available. Utilizing these methods, numerical simulation and their comparisons with existing methods are also achieved. For example, the Canny algorithm is relatively accurate than the Suzuki algorithm as well as their combinations with a geometric center extraction method if the density of weed is high. Compared with the K‐means clustering method, the DBSCAN algorithm is more suitable to characterize crop rows optimally in more complex conditions. It is validated from experiments that the combination of Canny algorithm, Hough transform and DBSCAN clustering is better than other mentioned traditional methods.