The past picking season saw extensive testing of the apple-picking robot at Proeftuin Randwijk. Munckhof Fruit Tech Innovators and Riwo began developing this robot in 2020. The current model features a suction nozzle with two air chambers capable of exerting 6 kilograms of force to pick an apple. The robot unit is mounted on a Pluk-O-Trak system. At present, the robotic arm works alongside human pickers, but in the future, the number of robotic arms could be expanded to six, enabling fully automated picking, according to NFO.
The development of the picking robot is part of the Nxtgen Hightech program (2023-2030), funded by subsidies from the National Growth Fund. Munckhof Fruit Tech Innovators and Riwo are responsible for the robots and control systems, while Wageningen University & Research, Fontys Universities of Applied Sciences, and Saxion Universities of Applied Sciences contribute expertise in image processing and route planning. The robot must locate ripe apples and efficiently maneuver its suction nozzle to pick the apples and return them to the Pluk-O-Trak without causing damage.
Although this year's technical goals were exceeded, the robot will require several more years of development to reach full maturity.
Source: NFO