Fresh fruit picked from the tree by Israeli robots

 

Fresh fruit picked from the tree by Israeli robots

The harvest is a stressful time for fruit farmers. After planting, watering and weeding their fields, they need to quickly hire additional workers and coordinate the picking and packing of their crops within a few weeks before the oranges, apples or berries begin to decline in quality.

“This is hard, seasonal work,” says one apple grower in northern Israel, who, like many farmers, also needs to arrange housing, insurance, transportation and work visas for seasonal harvest workers. “Costs are rising all the time.”

Industry experts estimate that about 10 percent of the world’s fruit crops rots on the trees and goes to waste because there are not enough workers to pick it.

It's not uncommon for agricultural technology to be used to increase efficiency in harvesting crops, including fruits. In recent years, Israel has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge robotics for agriculture, and one such example is the use of robots to pick fresh fruit from trees.

These robots are equipped with advanced sensors, computer vision technology, and machine learning algorithms that enable them to identify ripe fruit and determine the best angle to pick it without damaging the tree or the fruit itself. They can work around the clock, picking fruits much faster and more efficiently than human workers, and can even reach fruits that are difficult or dangerous for humans to harvest.

The use of robotics in agriculture has several potential benefits, including reducing labor costs, improving productivity, and increasing the quality and consistency of the harvest. It also allows farmers to focus on other important tasks such as crop management and maintenance.

While the use of robots in agriculture is still relatively new, it is an area that is rapidly developing and has the potential to revolutionize the industry.

How it works

Fresh fruit picked from the tree by Israeli robots typically involves a multi-step process that requires specialized equipment, software, and skilled operators. Here is a general overview of how it works:

Tree mapping: The first step is to map the trees in the orchard using advanced sensing technologies, such as LIDAR, cameras, and drones. This allows the robots to know the location and size of each tree, as well as the position and ripeness of each fruit.

Fruit detection: Once the trees are mapped, the robots use computer vision algorithms to detect and identify the ripe fruit. This is done by analyzing color, shape, and texture, and making decisions based on pre-set criteria.

Picking: Once the fruit is detected, the robots use specialized end-effectors to pick the fruit gently and efficiently. These end-effectors can be customized to fit different types of fruit and to avoid damaging the trees or the fruit.

Sorting and packing: After the fruit is picked, it is sorted based on size, quality, and other factors, and then packed in crates or containers for shipping. This can also be done by robots, using specialized equipment and software.

Overall, the use of robots in fruit picking can increase efficiency, reduce labor costs, and improve the quality of the fruit by minimizing damage and reducing handling time. Additionally, it allows for greater precision in fruit selection, ensuring that only the ripest and highest-quality fruit is harvested.