The agricultural landscape is on the verge of transformation as harvest robots begin to make their debut in asparagus farming, a development highlighted during the recent Dutch Innovation Day for Asparagus. Experts in the field are optimistic yet cautious, emphasizing that while advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence are accelerating, a complete breakthrough in practical applications is still on the horizon.
Jeroen Rondeel of Blue Engineering pointed out the current limitations of these robots, noting that although their capabilities are expanding, their operational speed is not yet sufficient for widespread adoption. However, the rapid decline in the cost of faster sensors and computers is expected to make robotic technology increasingly appealing to farmers. Rondeel referenced Moore’s Law, which states that computer processing speeds double approximately every two years, forecasting that computers will be a thousand times faster by 2040. This exponential growth will likely lead to faster robots and more advanced sensors, enhancing their utility in agriculture. For example, in gerbera cultivation, robots currently achieve only about 25% of a human’s picking capacity, but they operate continuously, narrowing the productivity gap. Rondeel is confident that picking capacity will improve significantly in the near future, as robots take on more roles in harvesting, sorting, quality assessment, and logistics.
Cindy van Rijswick from Rabobank echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the integration of robotics and AI in agriculture is more of an evolution than a revolution. She emphasized that while robots can outperform humans in many tasks, harvesting remains particularly challenging due to the need for delicate handling and precise actions. However, van Rijswick sees substantial potential for automation in pre- and post-harvest operations, such as detecting, inspecting, and counting produce.
Despite the promising outlook, several barriers have hindered the full-scale adoption of robotics in agriculture. Rabobank’s survey identified issues such as lack of flexibility, investment risks, regulatory hurdles, and concerns about data ownership and safety. Additionally, the agricultural sector is not typically seen as a prime target for investment, complicating the funding landscape for technological advancements. Van Rijswick noted that while the labor market in agriculture is expected to grow until 2030, significant challenges regarding labor supply will emerge thereafter, making automation not just a means to replace labor but also a way to improve working conditions and enhance product quality.
At the forefront of asparagus harvesting technology are AVL Motion and Lommers Tuinbouwmachines, both of which showcased their progress during the Innovation Day. Next season, AVL Motion plans to deploy four harvest robots in practical settings, with ambitions for serial production. Lommers’ robot, which has undergone extensive testing with asparagus growers, has been fine-tuned to better accommodate the unique challenges of the crop. The robot features two harvesting heads that can cut an asparagus spear every 1.5 seconds, potentially achieving between 15,000 to 20,000 cuts in an eight-hour workday. It automatically adjusts its speed based on the number of spears available for harvesting, showcasing a significant leap in operational efficiency.
As these innovations come to fruition, the price tag for such technology ranges from €150,000 to €200,000, a considerable investment that reflects the complexity and potential of these machines. As the agricultural sector grapples with labor shortages and the demand for efficiency, the integration of robotics in asparagus farming may well be a pivotal step towards a more sustainable and productive future. The journey towards fully automated harvesting may not be instantaneous, but the groundwork laid today suggests a promising trajectory for the role of robots in agriculture.