Breakthrough: mechanical fruit pickers to take over farmers

Thousands of farmers may lose their jobs in the near future, as Vision Robotics is developing a pair of robots that can efficiently pick fruits from trees to replace human labor. These machines are expected to be employed a few years from now.

Back in 2004, the idea seemed ridiculous. A mechanical robot would take a lot of time finding and plucking each fruit one by one. Workers who pick fruits for a living also strongly detested the threat that could steal their jobs. Cesar Chavez, leader of United Farm Workers, fought against the idea back in 1972.

Even so, agricultural associations are pushing for this breakthrough. Farm owners would invest money to fund this research without hesitation, if it means not having to pay each fruit picker while doing the job faster.

The plan is for two robots to share the workload: one would figure out where all the fruits are located, while the other will find the most efficient way to gather them all. If this succeeds, collection would come at unprecedented speed.

Funds are expected to reach US$ 1 million by the end of the year, all from orange growers. Projected costs reach US$ 5 million to get the finished product. Slap biofuel made of fruits to it, and we’ll have more efficient farms in years to come.

Via Wired

Thousands of farmers may lose their jobs in the near future, as Vision Robotics is developing a pair of robots that can efficiently pick fruits from trees to replace human labor. These machines are expected to be employed a few years from now.

Back in 2004, the idea seemed ridiculous. A mechanical robot would take a lot of time finding and plucking each fruit one by one. Workers who pick fruits for a living also strongly detested the threat that could steal their jobs. Cesar Chavez, leader of United Farm Workers, fought against the idea back in 1972.

Even so, agricultural associations are pushing for this breakthrough. Farm owners would invest money to fund this research without hesitation, if it means not having to pay each fruit picker while doing the job faster.

The plan is for two robots to share the workload: one would figure out where all the fruits are located, while the other will find the most efficient way to gather them all. If this succeeds, collection would come at unprecedented speed.

Funds are expected to reach US$ 1 million by the end of the year, all from orange growers. Projected costs reach US$ 5 million to get the finished product. Slap biofuel made of fruits to it, and we’ll have more efficient farms in years to come.

Via Wired