Grape harvesting robot

History

2024: Product Announcement

At the end of October 2024, researchers from Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), in collaboration with Extend Robotics specialists and Saffron Grange vineyard, announced the start of using specialized robots to assemble grapes. The project aims to build an AI-powered, cloud-connected system that automates routine tasks like pruning and picking berries.

It is noted that viticulture is the fastest growing agricultural sector in Britain. However, pruning and harvesting grapes, as well as other berries and fruits, require skill and agility. It's a labor-intensive process that relies heavily on seasonal workers. The new robotic system is designed to simplify the corresponding operations.

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qmul.ac.uk

The platform involves the use of advanced sensors and AI algorithms that allow you to determine the maturity of berries and carefully collect grapes using pressure-sensitive manipulators. The system is designed to meet high standards: it can be used to collect fruits that are grown specifically for the production of fine wine. The cost of such grapes can reach $6,500 per ton.

The project is funded by the Ministry of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defra). The initiative is aimed, among other things, at improving the quality of wine by ensuring the optimal harvest time using high-tech robotics and AI technologies. For this, optical visualization and analysis tools based on AI, a virtual reality interface, as well as means of remote monitoring of the state of crops are used. That is, we are talking about combining advanced technologies, data analytics and methods of precision farming.^[1]

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