In a significant leap towards automation in agriculture, Israeli company Nanovel has unveiled an autonomous fruit-harvesting robot designed specifically for the citrus industry. This innovative technology is set to transform the way citrus fruits are harvested, particularly in dense foliage environments where traditional harvesting methods face challenges. The robot, which boasts a multi-arm platform, will initially be towed by a tractor, enhancing its mobility and operational efficiency.
Scheduled field trials for the robot’s capabilities in orange picking are set to commence in Israel this December. These trials will serve as a critical testbed for the technology, enabling Nanovel to gather valuable data on the robot’s performance. Additionally, the company has secured a strategic partnership with the California Citrus Research Board, paving the way for further field trials with major citrus growers in California starting in the second quarter of 2025. This collaboration aims not only to evaluate the machine’s effectiveness but also to refine the technology based on real-time feedback from local growers, ensuring it meets the unique demands of the California citrus market.
The fruit-harvesting robot is designed for continuous operation, capable of working day and night to maximize productivity. With its six robotic arms, the system can pick approximately one bin of oranges, weighing around 400 kilograms, every hour, amounting to a potential harvest of up to 20 bins in a full workday. This capability addresses a pressing issue faced by growers: the ongoing shortage of farm labor. “This solution provides growers facing a shortage of farm labor with much higher predictability and reliability when it comes to harvest scheduling,” explains Isaac Mazor, CEO of Nanovel.
Equipped with a patented end-effector featuring a vacuum gripper, the robot gently cradles the fruit and trims the stems without causing damage. The harvested fruit is then transported via conveyor belts to bins, ensuring a seamless transition from tree to storage. Furthermore, the robot’s AI-driven system incorporates selective picking based on fruit size and color, guaranteeing the highest quality produce is harvested. Real-time data collection during the harvesting process provides growers with valuable insights that can inform packing and marketing strategies, as well as offer agronomic information critical for future cultivation.
The flexibility of the robot’s design is another standout feature. Its modular configuration allows for variations between four to eight arms and different maximum picking heights, depending on the specific type of fruit and orchard specifications. This adaptability is crucial for optimizing efficiency across diverse agricultural applications. In the coming years, Nanovel plans to integrate an internal driving unit, enhancing the robot’s autonomy and reducing the need for human intervention.
As the agricultural sector grapples with escalating labor costs and availability issues, Nanovel’s robotic system is projected to be cost-competitive with human labor in markets like California. Mazor emphasizes the urgency of automated solutions in light of these challenges: “Given the ongoing global labor shortages and the rising costs of farm labor, particularly in markets like California, our robotic system is already projected to be cost-competitive with human labor.” Additionally, automating the harvesting process mitigates safety risks associated with manual labor, particularly the dangers of picking fruit from ladders.
Nanovel’s robot will be sold per unit, with the company committed to providing comprehensive training and support to ensure growers can maximize its benefits. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand its harvesting capabilities to include other citrus varieties, such as lemons, and is exploring options for harvesting avocados, mangos, and various stone fruits. Founded in 2018 by Mazor, who has a rich background in technology innovation and robotics, Nanovel is poised to make a significant impact in the agricultural landscape, particularly in the citrus sector. The upcoming showcase at the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit in London further underscores the growing interest in automated agricultural solutions and their potential to reshape the industry.