AI Robot Picks Strawberries

A robotic harvester, designed to tackle the challenges of delicate and concealed strawberries, employs AI vision, soft grippers, and a leaf-moving fan. The system uses a 3D camera to generate colour and depth images, which are then processed using machine learning to locate strawberries. The robot calculates the optimal approach for its robotic arms and silicone grippers. A fan gently moves leaves, exposing hidden fruit for the harvester.

Strawberry harvesting robots could address labour shortages in the $20 billion strawberry market, which is projected to grow. Previous robotic efforts have fallen short due to difficulties in locating berries hidden beneath foliage. Existing solutions often focus on greenhouse or table-top systems where fruit is more accessible. This new design targets complex field conditions.