New AI-Powered Robot Specializes In Picking Citrus Fruit

Israeli agritech startup Nanovel has unveiled its new AI-powered autonomous robot capable of picking fruit off the trees for the fresh market. 

The company says the robot offers a worldwide solution to farm labor shortages and rapidly increasing costs, the two most pressing issues identified in a survey by the Western Growers organization, which works with farmers in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. 

According to Nanovel, the robot is the world’s first-of-its-kind system designed to pick citrus fruit in dense foliage, involving a high level of technological complexity, including advanced edge computing and AI-driven data analysis. 

The system includes a multi-arm platform, which will initially be towed by a tractor although planned future versions will include an internal driving unit and autonomous navigation. 

The telescopic arms are equipped with edge computing, advanced vision systems, and AI to identify, assess, and selectively pick fruit with precision that meets fresh market quality standards. Each arm has a patented vacuum gripper to hold the fruit and cutters to trim its stems without damaging it.  

In the first phase, the robot will harvest oranges, later expanding to other citrus fruits, and the company’s long-term plan includes lemons, grapefruits, avocados, mangoes, peaches and nectarines.

“Our mission is to secure the affordability of fresh fruit through autonomous harvesting,” said Nanovel founder and CEO Isaac Mazor. 

“Our goal is to deploy Nanovel’s solution into major global citrus markets, particularly in the US and Southern European countries like Spain and Italy. We aim to set a new standard for fresh market harvesting, ensuring high quality and economic viability for growers.”