When does a m How close is robotics to practical use in the orchard?
Labour in fruit cultivation is becoming scarcer and more expensive. That is why it is important to understand the technical progress made so far, what is already improving and which steps are still needed for practical use in the orchard. This public summary describes the technical testing and validation of the apple-picking robot, with attention to supporting systems such as the automatic crate-changing system and the shuttle vehicle. The results show that picking speed is improving, while the robot arm, parallel operation and damage reduction require further development.
Innovation package, use case and test type
Open Field Cultivation
Apple Picking Robot
Status: completed
Technical functionality
Broad knowledge question
Robotics should support skilled work where labour is under pressure
Within NXTGEN Hightech Agrifood, the study examines how robotics, image analysis, AI and data platforms can contribute to more efficient, sustainable and skilled work in fruit cultivation. The main question is how this technology can support labour efficiency without losing sight of the practical complexity of the orchard.
Approach
Testing in the orchard makes technical progress tangible
The approach started with preliminary research in the orchard. This was used to assess whether the test procedures were workable under orchard conditions or needed adjustment.
Testing and validation then took place during the harvest period, with harvest experiments on multiple days, over several weeks and with different apple varieties. The developed automatic crate-changing system was also briefly validated in combination with the shuttle vehicle. The collected data were analysed and processed in the report.
Goal
Assessing progress with fixed performance indicators
The goal is to assess the current status of the apple-picking robot using the key performance indicators, or KPIs, defined in the project plan. By comparing new data with earlier measurements, it becomes clear where the robot is improving and which technical points still determine practical use in the orchard.
Result and reflection
Picking speed improves, but practical use requires further development
In short, the apple-picking robot shows technical progress, especially in picking speed. At the same time, the intended performance level has not yet been reached. For use in the orchard, a more robust robot arm, possibly parallel operation with multiple arms and reducing damage to fruit stems remain decisive development points.
Successful outcomes
The project is on schedule.
The performance of the robot system is improving steadily.
Picking speed has improved compared with earlier measurements.
The testing and validation provide useful insights for the further development of the apple-picking robot and supporting systems, such as the automatic crate-changing system and the shuttle vehicle.
Lessons learned
Major steps are still needed to reach the intended performance level.
A robust, industrially suitable robot arm remains an important development point for reliable operation in the orchard.
Parallel operation with multiple robot arms may help increase picking capacity further.
The high number of damaged fruit stems requires further attention, as damage reduction is important for practical use in the orchard.