Robot makes strawberry harvest 50% more cost efficient
"We are still in the testing phase, it's all very new. Since the commercial version was introduced in May 2012, we have added several improvements and advances. Several multinationals have already displayed interest for the machine. We expect it to be in wide use within a relatively short time." the designer, engineer Juan Bravo, explained.
In the past 6 years, the prototype was designed and developed by Agrobot, in the Centro de Innovación Tecnología de la Agroindustria Onubense (center for technology innovation of the agricultural industry of Onuba), member of RETA and with support from the Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empresa (Council for innovation, science and Business). "We’re not talking about a product that already exists on the market, one that is improved or changed, but about a totally new product. We make the electronic circuits, software, the hydraulic systems of the machine including the treadmills," says Bravo.
An AGB® system manages a set of robotic manipulators that can locate and identify the strawberries. These select them based on their size and degree of maturation. They move with maximum precision to conserve the smoothness and delicacy of the fruit. The harvested fruits are hygienically moved by a FlexConveyor system to the packaging area.
SW 6010 relies on two workers for the control and the packing of the harvested fruit. It is an ergonomically designed machine which provides remarkable conveniences to streamlining the procedures.
See the machine at work
"The US is in dire need of able workers, and our technology seems to be the perfect solution," according to Bravo.
For more information:
Juan Bravo
AGROBOT
Avda. la dehesa del piorno nº1
21440 Lepe, Huelva. España
Tel: +34 606 68 23 83
agrobot@agrobot.es
www.agrobot.es