Robotic Arm for Tree Cutting & Pruning

I&T Wish Robotic Arm for Tree Cutting & Pruning
(REF: W-0569)
Matched I&T Solution
Trial Project
Summary and Challenges
  • Tree cutting and pruning at the roadside is a regular and routine process. Sometimes, trees become sick or grow in a way that interferes with traffic on the road or affects nearby buildings or pedestrians. The traditional method involves climbing manually or using a lifting platform to cut/prune trees.
  • To reduce the risks associated with working at height, this project aims to develop a robot or a vehicle with a robotic arm (collectively referred to as “Robot”) that can either perform tree cutting or tree pruning (or both) on traffic roads, pedestrian pathways and construction sites.
  • Design considerations shall include the tree cutting and/or pruning motion. The loading of the cut parts does not affect any traffic, pedestrians nearby or the trees adjacent to the tree being cut/prune. Both occupational safety and health (OSH) and road safety must also to be considered.
  • * The trees here include palm trees.
Expected Outcome
  • The Robot shall be designed, developed, built, tested and commissioned for tree cutting (which refers to removal of an entire tree) and/or branch pruning with the following features:
    • Its overall size and associated working area shall be suitable for safe operation along traffic lanes, within construction site or along pedestrian pathways.
    • Battery-powered.
    • The robotic arm, with appropriate degrees of freedom, shall be equipped with electric saw(s) or similar tools for tree cutting and branch pruning, as well as a camera module to complete the mission.
    • A remote control with an LCD screen shall be provided for monitoring and controlling the entire operation, including initiating the robotic arm’s movement toward the target tree and loading the cut parts onto another standby vehicle or placing them on the ground.
  • Please note:
    • At least one staff with relevant arboricultural experience (tree removal and pruning) and work safety expertise shall be involved in supervising the solution trial to ensure pruning work meets local or international arboriculture standards.
    • Charging procedures and transportation of the Robot to and from the tree-cutting/pruning sites should be considered in the design.
    • The submitted proposal should specify the maximum tree height and size the Robot can handled, along with any limitations.
Expected Trial Duration 12-month
Contact Information
I&T Wish Proposer:Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD)
Contact Person:MAN, Choi Lai
Position:Project Officer / Innovation / 2
Tel:3757 6125
Email: clman@emsd.gov.hk
Upload Date 2025-05-22
Closing Date 2025-06-05
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