Kubota and Yamaha Motor Additionally Invest in U.S. Startup Developing Robots to Automate Strawberry Harvesting

Michele Catinari — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 17:00:12 +0000

Automation solutions for ground crops and tree crops farming to contribute to labor-saving and efficiency

Kubota and Yamaha have additionally invested in U.S. startup Advanced Farm Technologies (hereinafter “AFT”).

AFT is a U.S.-based startup seeking to raise efficiency in the agriculture field by developing and manufacturing robots for strawberry harvesting. Their TX robotic strawberry harvester combines an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) together with image sensors and artificial intelligence (AI). Those image recognition technology instantly distinguishes ripe and ready strawberries and the grippers at the end of the robot arms gently pick each one. In addition, these automation technologies allow to significantly reduce conventional manned fruit and vegetable processes and maximize operational efficiency.

With this investment, Kubota and Yamaha Motor will utilize the technologies of both companies to accelerate technological development and business expansion aimed at implementing automated farming solutions which are promoted by AFT for ground crops and tree crops.

TX robotic strawberry harvester

This collaborated initiative was realized from the process of open innovation support promoted by each company’s “new division”. Kubota established “Innovation Center” in 2019, as a division to promote open innovation through partnerships with external organizations. Those activities allow Kubota to deepen its knowledge of advanced agritech and its business models, thus accelerating the development of its solution business. The Yamaha Motor Group is also using its group company Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Silicon Valley (YMVSV) established in 2015 to gain a foothold in CVC activities through this investment.

Working together with external partners, both companies will advance open innovation for proactive engagement with advanced technologies in the broad agricultural field and will work for the purpose of accelerating the creation of new businesses, products, and services to address various global social issues.

Automatic harvesting by image sensors and AI

Source: Kubota

The post Kubota and Yamaha Motor Additionally Invest in U.S. Startup Developing Robots to Automate Strawberry Harvesting appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

OCTINION presents the world’s first strawberry picking robot

Michele Catinari — Wed, 04 Dec 2019 09:59:49 +0000

R&D company Octinion from Leuven (Belgium) presents its fully autonomous strawberry picking robot during trade fair Fruit Logistica in Berlin. After 5 years of development, it is the first company in the world to market this piece of innovation. The launch is crucial for the sector.

Rubion has presented a robot that navigates through the strawberries, detecting ripe ones, picking without bruising and placing it in its punnet. This piece of Belgian innovation is not only an answer to the labor shortage in the sector, it allows growers to increase the quality of its produce – which in the end benefits the consumer.

Demographic and socio-economic numbers show that the labor shortage in the sector is a fact. But for Octinion the focus is clearly on adding quality.

“Thanks to robotics, we have so many possibilities, much more than a human could ever do. Harvest prediction, picking according to market needs, simply picking when the berries are ripe instead of when workers are available – these are just a few examples of what is possible as of today for a grower,”

says Tom Coen, CEO of the Octinion Technology Group. “The consumer will also notice the difference, as strawberries will be fresher and show less bruising.”

Introducing robots in a sector where almost everything gets done by hand, that’s more of a revolution than an evolution. It calls for close collaboration with all stakeholders. Tom Coen:

“not only have we been working together with growers and test centers across the world for the past couple of years, breeders have also been keen on being part of the technological developments. Growing systems and varieties will adapt to what is more ideal for a robot. We will have a robot driving around at the Dutch Fresh Forward Breeding and collaborations with other breeders to shape the future of the sector. Our door is open for additional breeders.”

In 2014 a team of Belgian engineers started the development of the prestigious robot. In the meanwhile, Octinion wasn’t the only company presenting a concept. Product Manager Laura Guillaume says it’s not a surprise that the company from Leuven is the first to actually present a commercial product: “by developing the robot from scratch, we are able to make it economically viable. We can serve all table-top growers, in greenhouses or tunnels.” Next to the picking robot, a whole range of harvesting solutions are for sale as of today. Octinion plans on launching harvesting robots for other crops in the upcoming years.

Source: Octinion

The post OCTINION presents the world’s first strawberry picking robot appeared first on North America FarmQuip Magazine.

strawberry Archives - North America FarmQuip Magazine

Kubota and Yamaha Motor Additionally Invest in U.S. Startup Developing Robots to Automate Strawberry Harvesting

Automation solutions for ground crops and tree crops farming to contribute to labor-saving and efficiency

OCTINION presents the world’s first strawberry picking robot

R&D company Octinion from Leuven (Belgium) presents its fully autonomous strawberry picking robot during trade fair Fruit Logistica in Berlin. After 5 years of development, it is the first company in the world to market this piece of innovation. The launch is crucial for the sector.