Automated Inventory Machine for Loading and Unloading of Rice/
Richmond V. Manaig, Gypsy Lyn M. Vista, Clark Denniel V. Velez, Neil Andrei C. Infante, and Charles Cholo F. Jacinto..-
- Manila: Technological University of the Philippines, 2025.
- ix, 57 pages: 29cm.
Bachelor's Thesis
College of Industrial Technology..-
Includes bibliographic references and index.
Access to staple food such as rice must be convenient, hygienic, and accurate; however, traditional rice retailing methods rely heavily on manual dispensing and handling, which often lead to measurement inaccuracies, contamination risks, and operational inefficiencies. This study addresses the research gap in automated, small-scale rice distribution systems by designing and developing an automated rice vending machine that ensures precise dispensing, reliable payment processing, and real-time inventory monitoring. The primary objective of the study is to improve accuracy, hygiene, and efficiency in rice distribution through automation. The system was developed using an Arduino Mega 2560 microcontroller integrated with coin and bill acceptors, a stepper motor for controlled dispensing, an ultrasonic sensor for inventory monitoring, a GSM module for notifications, and a user interface composed of an LCD and push-button controls. A prototyping approach was employed, followed by experimental testing focusing on dispensing accuracy, payment recognition accuracy, and inventory monitoring reliability. Results showed that the system achieved a 100% pass rate in dispensing accuracy for 0.5 kg, 1 kg, and 2 kg rice selections across nine trials. Inventory monitoring also demonstrated 100% accuracy, with system-recorded values perfectly matching manual measurements. Additionally, the payment system accurately recognized all tested Philippine coin (₱1, ₱5, ₱10, ₱20) and bill denominations (₱20, ₱50, ₱100), achieving a 100% recognition rate under controlled conditions. These findings confirm the system’s reliability, functional correctness, and operational efficiency. The study concludes that the automated rice vending machine is a viable solution for improving food accessibility, minimizing human error, and enhancing hygiene, aligning with the research agendas of the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger).