Sensors, systems and algorithms of 3D reconstruction for smart agriculture and precision farming: A review

Perceiving the shape and structure of the real three-dimensional world through sensors and cameras is indispensable across various domains. The 3D reconstruction technology is dedicated to realizing this ideal process. 3D reconstruction technology serves as a transformative tool, enriching our ability to perceive the genuine shape and stereo structure of objects and scenes in the real world. Through combining advanced sensors, image processing algorithms and 3D reconstruction methods, it captures the shape and structural information of targets from multiple perspectives and dimensions, and creates highly realistic 3D models in the virtual environment. With the rapid modernization of agriculture and ongoing technological progress, the demand for more efficient and precise management and monitoring methods in agricultural production is increasing. Traditional observation and measurement methods face challenges such as low efficiency and incomplete data. 3D reconstruction technology provides more accurate and intelligent management tools for smart agriculture. This paper provides a detailed introduction to the research progress based on 3D reconstruction technology in smart agriculture. It delves into the characteristics and development of various sensors and sensing systems, discussing various methods to implement 3D reconstruction technology. Different from applications in industrial environments, agricultural environments and crops are usually complex and variable, and consideration of diverse factors is required for the selection of suitable sensors and reconstruction methods. Therefore, several aspects of applications are summarized, such as agricultural robotics, crop phenotyping, livestock, and the food industry. Finally, the challenges and potential future trends of 3D reconstruction in agriculture are given.