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Aerobotics expands to blueberries

"The Google glasses of our industry"

Aerobotics has historically relied on drones for plant digitization, but the expansion to handheld devices has enhanced its potential. "Drones are excellent for large-scale mapping, but they have limitations, especially under netting or in greenhouses," Liaan Janse van Vuuren, Aerobotics's Head Agronomist explains. "That's why we moved to iPhones for TrueFruit—it allows us to work in protected environments like greenhouses and tunnels."

The company recently started focusing on blueberries, where fruit size uniformity is a key market driver. "In the blueberry industry, the size of the fruit is everything. Our tools allow growers to see cluster size distribution across blocks and tons, providing actionable insights to optimize yield and profitability."

The sky is the limit
"The same technology we use for blueberries and citrus could be applied to strawberries, tomatoes, and other greenhouse crops. Strawberries, in particular, have shown remarkable global growth, and tomatoes—especially export and specialty varieties—could benefit from our fruit-sizing technology."

However, scaling into new markets requires careful planning. "For us, it's about capacity and ensuring we add value for growers. One of our core values is 'Growers First'—everything we do is based on their needs and feedback. If the data isn't practical for them to use, it's not worth it."

The birth of TrueFruit
Recognizing the need for even greater precision, Aerobotics developed TrueFruit, an AI-powered solution that takes digitalization even further. "TrueFruit allows us to digitize individual fruits using the iPhone Pro's advanced camera system," Liaan explains. "By capturing images, we can determine fruit size with millimeter accuracy, enabling growers to track fruit growth and better understand their trees' productivity."

Photo right: Blueberry sizing and grading

The ability to measure fruit size from as small as 10mm is particularly significant for exporting countries. "Fruit growth tracking is critical," he emphasizes. "When you understand your fruit size, you understand your trees' energy output. In export markets, where size consistency is crucial, our technology provides a competitive edge."

Assisting in market decisions
Beyond sizing, Aerobotics expanded TrueFruit's capabilities to include fruit grading. "Now, we analyze not just size, but also color development and blemishes. This gives producers a real-time view of their fruit quality, helping them make informed decisions about harvesting and market readiness."

The company specifically uses iPhone 13 Pro and newer models due to their advanced telemetry and imaging accuracy. "We tested various devices, and the iPhone 13 Pro's camera gives us an accuracy of up to 7mm. It's a game-changer for digital agriculture. We're basically the Google Glasses of our industry."

Going back to where it started
For a decade, Aerobotics has used artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalization to empower growers to monitor and manage their crops. Founded by James Patterson and Benji Meltzer, the company initially focused on drones equipped with security and tree sensors. Over the years, it evolved into a sophisticated platform for orchard and vineyard management, emphasizing resource and yield optimization.

Liaan states, "We started with drone imagery—flying over farms and creating maps that highlighted areas of concern, such as nutrient deficiencies or pest outbreaks. This allowed us to digitize each plant, offering growers a comprehensive view of their operations."


Liaan Janse van Vuuren using the TrueFruit app

Bridging the digital gap
Aerobotics is also addressing challenges related to technology accessibility. "We recognize that not every grower has the right device," Liaan acknowledges. "That's why we're working to provide hardware solutions alongside our software. If a grower doesn't have a compatible phone, we can facilitate the acquisition of one, ensuring they can benefit from our technology."

"Our headquarters are in Cape Town, but we operate worldwide—across South Africa, Namibia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe (Portugal, Spain), and the Americas (Peru, Chile, Washington, California, and Arizona)," Liaan notes.

The company places a strong emphasis on education and support. "It's not just about giving growers the tools—it's about teaching them how to use them effectively. We work closely with producers to ensure they understand how to interpret and act on the data we provide."

"We're literally digitizing farms, creating a digital twin of agricultural operations. This isn't just about technology—it's about making farming more precise, efficient, and profitable."

Aerobotics is focused on one-on-one service provision with growers, assisting them throughout their season. Liaan himself trains around 300 scouts annually who assist growers in the field. A detailed feedback report is given to aid with decision-making regarding harvest, crop, and market planning. "With our technology, growers can plan their season and markets. You have the whole fruit development landscape available to track different varieties, their color, and harvest times. Blueberries coloring a bit later on in the season can be picked for export markets that require a bit more travel time, just to give one example in market planning assistance," he concludes.

Aerobotics is exhibiting at Fruit Logistica this week in Hall 3.1, Booth C31. The following link can be used to schedule a meeting with them: https://meetings.hubspot.com/aerobotics/fruit-logistica-berlin-2025

For more information:
Aerobotics
www.aerobotics.com