When does technical progress become economically viable in the orchard?
In fruit cultivation, robotics only becomes economically relevant when improved performance leads to lower costs per kilogram picked and workable logistics. This public summary describes how the apple-picking robot was assessed economically and how a calculation model provides insight into the possible effects of the crate-changing system and shuttle vehicle. The results show that higher picking speed reduces costs, but that further speed improvements and possibly more robot arms remain necessary to compete with hand picking.
Innovation package, use case and test type
Broad knowledge question
Labour shortages and costs increase pressure on the harvest
Fruit cultivation is facing increasing labour shortages and rising costs. That is why NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood examines how robotics, AI and automated logistics can contribute to more efficient, reliable and sustainable picking and organisation in the orchard.
Approach
Translating technical performance into costs per kilogram
Technical tests of the apple-picking robot were carried out in the orchard. The measured performance was entered into an economic calculation model to calculate the cost per kilogram picked and compare it with earlier results.
No full technical validation was carried out for the crate-changing system and shuttle vehicle. Instead, a flexible calculation model was developed that allows growers to enter their own company data and estimate possible logistical and economic effects.
Goal
Understanding economic feasibility and logistical effects
The goal is to translate the technical performance of the apple-picking robot into a cost per kilogram picked and compare that outcome with earlier results. For the crate-changing system and shuttle vehicle, the goal is to provide a calculation model that allows growers to assess the possible logistical and economic effects for their own business.
Result and reflection
Higher picking speed reduces costs, but more is needed to compete with hand picking
In short, the apple-picking robot performs better than in earlier measurements. The higher picking speed reduces the cost per kilogram picked, but robot picking is not yet economically competitive with hand picking. For the crate-changing system and shuttle vehicle, the possible logistical benefits remain indicative and depend on the business context.
Successful outcomes
The apple-picking robot performs better than in earlier measurements.
The higher picking speed reduces the cost per kilogram picked.
The economic calculation model helps growers assess the effects for their own business.
Logistical benefits are possible for the crate-changing system and shuttle vehicle, depending on how the business is organised.
Lessons learned
The apple-picking robot performs better than in earlier measurements.
The higher picking speed reduces the cost per kilogram picked.
The economic calculation model helps growers assess the effects for their own business.
Logistical benefits are possible for the crate-changing system and shuttle vehicle, depending on how the business is organised.