THE first trials for the fruit picking robot being developed by Ripe Robotics out of McNab and Son’s orchards in Ardmona were successful.
Since receiving Federal funding earlier this year, Eve has undergone total redevelopment. Eve Mk5 is the fifth version developed by the company and it has been designed to pick fruit four times faster than Ripe Robotics’ earlier designs, requires less maintenance, can pick a wider range of fruit, and uses less power – a key part in making these robots commercially viable.
This machine not only alleviates the impact of labour shortages, but co-founder Hunter Jay says that AI-technology aids data collection by photographing each apple before being picked. This means orchardists will have access to accurate data that records the yield and quality of produce being collected each year.
The advent of this new technology will see orchards change to reflect the advancements. On the right side of the orchard photographed, you will see fruit trees have been pruned to have long, vertical limbs that offer easy access for the robot to grasp with its small suction ‘hand.’
Powered with petrol generators, the robot can move through the orchard collecting fruit ready for picking, records the fruit, picks it and then it is moved to a bin. Eve Mk5 has been designed with versatility in mind, being able to pick more than just apples, have additional arms added, and the Ripe Robotics team are constantly working to make Eve more efficient.
Next month Eve will be put to the test picking oranges, and the next major milestone for the project will be picking an entire bin of fruit.
Learn more about Ripe Robotics by visiting www.riperobotics.com/
