Israeli startup Robotic Perception is making strides in the development of a robotic pruning solution for orchards and vineyards. The company recently unveiled its first prototype at the World FIRA event, showcasing its innovative approach to automation in agriculture.
Founded in 2019, Robotic Perception is focused on creating autonomous and robotic solutions to support growers in vineyards and orchards. Through its participation in the agROBOfood project, which is supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 initiative, the company has developed a patent-pending solution that aims to reduce spray drift by 25 percent. While the specifics of this solution are being kept under wraps for now, it represents a significant advancement in agricultural technology.
At the World FIRA event, Robotic Perception demonstrated its robotic pruning prototype. The device features a robotic arm with an electrically operated pruner, which was attached to the front of a New Holland T4.90N vineyard tractor. The startup is collaborating with CNH Industrial on this project, and the live demo showcased the potential of their technology.
To accurately identify the branches that need pruning, Robotic Perception is testing various 2D and 3D cameras, including the Intel RealSense and ZED cameras. These cameras, combined with the company’s artificial intelligence tools, enable the robot to detect the entire structure of the trees and determine the appropriate branches to prune. While the initial focus is on spur pruning grape vines, the company plans to expand its capabilities to other fruit trees in the future.
One of the main motivations behind developing a robotic pruning solution is the shortage of labor and expertise in the agriculture industry. This is a problem faced by growers in many countries, including France, Italy, and South Africa. Robotic Perception aims to address this issue by commercializing its product by the end of the year.
The company’s vision includes a trailer equipped with six or eight robotic arms and electric pruners, which can be pulled by a tractor and powered by its PTO. This setup has the potential to prune and monitor up to 2 hectares of grape vines or fruit trees per day. Each robotic arm weighs approximately 30 kilograms, and the solution will be offered both as a service and as a piece of equipment.
While the pricing for the robotic pruning solution is still undecided, an initial sales price target of $150,000 has been suggested. Robotic Perception is also exploring partnerships with organizations such as CUMA in France and Confagricoltura in Italy to rent out the pruner to their members, further expanding its reach.
In conclusion, Robotic Perception’s progress in developing a robotic pruning solution for orchards and vineyards is poised to revolutionize the agriculture industry. By addressing the labor shortage and increasing efficiency, this technology has the potential to transform the way growers manage their crops. With its patent-pending solution and ongoing collaborations, Robotic Perception is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the field of agricultural robotics.