At the recent FIRA USA event, a select group of attendees and journalists were invited by Advanced Farm Technology (AFT) to witness a groundbreaking demonstration of their apple-picking robot, BetterPick, in action. This exclusive opportunity, held in Davis, California, highlighted the company’s commitment to revolutionizing agricultural practices through automation. Among the few professional news creators present was Future Farming, which gained firsthand insights into the capabilities of this innovative technology.
Founded in 2018 by three tech entrepreneurs with no prior agricultural experience, AFT initially focused on developing a strawberry-picking robot. However, as interest in robotic apple picking surged, the company pivoted its efforts to address this pressing need. AFT’s founders recognized the challenges faced by the agricultural sector, particularly the rising labor costs, which double approximately every ten years. This economic pressure has made the development of efficient and reliable robotic solutions not just advantageous but essential.
The BetterPick robot represents a significant advancement in the field of agricultural automation. Currently, AFT has a team of 20 individuals, including investors such as CNH Industrial and Kubota, dedicated to refining this technology. Two prototype platforms, created in 2022, are undergoing testing in collaboration with apple growers in Washington State, specifically those utilizing trellis systems. These systems allow apple trees to grow in a two-dimensional shape, minimizing occlusion and making fruit detection easier.
The fully autonomous BetterPick robot is equipped with a small petrol engine and an electric driveline. It features two stereo cameras at the front, enabling it to navigate between apple trees efficiently. Each side of the vehicle is fitted with three robotic arms, each possessing four degrees of freedom and equipped with Stereolabs ZED X stereo cameras. These cameras not only assist in navigation but also provide data on apple counts and assess the fruit’s readiness for picking based on specified characteristics such as color and size.
During the demonstration, the BetterPick robot showcased its impressive capabilities by picking plastic apples fitted with magnetic suspension at rates between 3,180 and 3,800 apples per hour, achieving a remarkable success rate of 93 to 95 percent. The developers are optimistic about future enhancements, with expectations to reach a picking rate of 5,000 apples per hour by the next season. AFT’s goal is to enable the robot to pick apples six times faster than a skilled human picker, who can manage only 1,000 to 1,200 apples per hour.
The implications of this technology are profound. As the agricultural sector grapples with labor shortages and rising costs, innovations like the BetterPick robot promise to alleviate some of these pressures. By automating the picking process, growers can maintain productivity levels while reducing dependency on human labor. This shift not only enhances efficiency but also has the potential to reshape labor dynamics within the industry.
The BetterPick robot is expected to be commercially available by late 2025, with a starting price of $350,000, accompanied by annual costs of about 10 percent of the purchase price. As agricultural technology continues to evolve, the introduction of such advanced solutions may pave the way for a more sustainable and efficient future in farming. As AFT continues to refine its technology, the agricultural community watches closely, anticipating the transformative effects of automation on fruit harvesting and beyond.