Vineland in search of partners for its veggy harvest robot

The newly developed robot has a proof-of-concept (pilot) solution for autonomous robotic harvesting of greenhouse vegetables, with a focus on identifying and gently harvesting the fruit from the plant. The vegetable harvesting robot's distinction is based on the interplay between original computer vision algorithms, an elegant decision support system and a customized end effector. The end effector (also known as a gripper) has a motorized articulation that uses sensing to maintain the appropriate contact (grips the fruit) as the fruit is cut from the plant's main stem (or vine). Initially developed for the harvest of Long English Cucumbers, it is adaptable to harvesting other crops and other activities such as pruning. The vegetable harvesting robot has already demonstrated robust, consistent performance in Vineland's greenhouse environment and is undergoing preparation for further testing in a commercial greenhouse facility.

Additionally, the vegetable harvesting robot consists of three primary core technologies that have been developed and integrated onto a proof-of-concept test platform using off-the-shelf technology wherever possible. These core technologies are:

• Computer vision software
• Decision support system
• Customizedend-effector

Vineland is seeking to commercialize its automated vegetable harvesting robot through one or more third parties who have the interest, capacity and capability to manufacture, market and sell the vegetable harvesting robot to the national and/or international horticultural sector.

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Photo by Tara Winstead from Pexels

Source: Greenhouse Canada