California’s Citrus Research Board ( CRB ) has signed a$ 900, 000 non-dilutive funding agreement with Nanovel that includes delivery of a citrus-harvesting robot after a series of field trials. The field tests are scheduled to begin in the spring of 2025 and will be carried out in collaboration with grapefruit producers.
An AI-powered intelligent fruit-harvesting robot that can pick citrus fruits for the new market has been unveiled by Nanovel, an Israeli company founded in 2018. Growers who are dealing with labor shortages at the plantation and rising costs can now use the machine, according to Nanovel.
The Nanovel machine was created to get citrus from thick foliage. The program features a multi-arm system, which will immediately become towed by a tractor. An interior driving device and autonomous navigation capabilities are expected to be included in future versions. The robot’s retractable arms are equipped with edge computing, developed vision systems and Iot to discover, evaluate and carefully pick fruit that meets new market quality standards.
To crib the berries and then cut the stems with cutters without causing damage to the fruit, each shoulder of the machine uses an end-effector with a vacuum gripper. The grapes is then transported to boxes using conveyor belt.
In the first stage, the robot is planned to produce oranges, with after expansion to other types of lemon.
The Nanovel program can be used both day and night, maximizing efficiency and ensuring that vegetables are picked at the best times.
According to Nanovel, the system’s real-time produce data collection yields insights that can be used in packaging and marketing activities. Growers can also gain agricultural insight from the data.
The World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in London, scheduled for September 30 through October 1, will feature Nanovel showcasing investment options in the fruit-harvesting machine.
