Automated Harvest In Fruit Orchards Remains a Challenge
Replicating the human hand ain’t easy, writes David Eddy at Growing Produce. The Washington State Tree Fruit Research Commission (WSTRC) was founded more than a half-century ago (1969) by a group of foresighted growers with the purpose of, among other goals, mechanizing harvest. But they, like the many other growers soon to follow, would be frustrated in their attempts. Thus, a discussion on the topic was appropriately held in Yakima, WA, at the 67th annual International Fruit Tree Association conference, themed “Bridging the Gap Between Information and Action.”
Today you can see robots that can do practically anything. But not, apparently, pick fruit at its peak. At least not like humans can, especially the experienced pickers that most growers employ. Besides, labor was relatively cheap — until now. Not only has the pay rate increased more rapidly in recent years, but, for the first time, farmworkers in Washington and California — with more states sure to follow — will be eligible for overtime.
Several years ago, commissioners approved a guide for future research and development, and Executive Director Ines Hanrahan provided an update, “WTRFC Technology Roadmap: Where We are Going and Why.”
She began by posting a simple slide titled “Harvest robot — what we need,” followed by a short but daunting list of what her state’s apple growers — who produce 2/3 of the nation’s total — would require:
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- 80 consecutive days
- 75,000 bins/day
- 1 machine = 100-200 bins/day
- 2-3 cents/fruit
Taking an average of 150 bins per day, that would require 500 robots, running for nearly three months. Hanrahan said to achieve such a goal the industry would need progress in several areas, such as more varieties that ripen at the same time. But perhaps more important, it would take a special effort on behalf of the developers of automated harvest machines, i.e., robots.
Read more at Growing Produce.
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