Desarrollo e implementación de empaquetadora de vegetales para comunidades agroindustriales utilizando sistema embebido

Abstract

CONDITION FOR PUBLICATION OF PROJECT. In many agricultural communities, especially in rural areas, post-harvest processes such as vegetable packaging continue to be carried out manually, leading to economic losses due to physical damage, contamination, and poor product presentation. This project aims to develop a prototype of a packaging machine using embedded control systems to improve the efficiency of the packaging process, increase the added value of the product, and strengthen commercialization in agro-industrial communities. The proposal addresses the need for accessible, safe, and context-adapted technological solutions in rural environments. For the development of the prototype, low-cost electronic components, simple mechanical structures, sensors, microcontrollers, and basic embedded programming techniques were used. Safety standards and environmental conditions of the setting were also taken into account. As a result, a functional prototype was obtained that automates the packaging process of up to four vegetables per cycle, reducing physical effort and improving product presentation. It is concluded that the use of embedded technologies offers a viable alternative to modernizing post-harvest processes for small producers, promoting efficiency, sustainability, and technological inclusion in the rural agro-industrial sector. Keywords: automated packaging, embedded system, rural agro-industry, functional prototype, post-harvest.