The Ripe Robotics team with the new design, earning its first layer of mud after driving itself into the orchard rows. (From left) Leopold Lucas, Hunter Jay, Michael Woods and Tobin Smit.
Photo by
Daneka Hill
The newest fruit picking prototype by Ripe Robotics has survived its first field test.
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The threat of rain and deep mud had the robot’s minders on edge, but the outing at McNab Orchards in Ardmona was deemed a success.
“This is literally the first time we’ve brought it out and attached all the power to it,” Ripe Robotics co-founder Hunter Jay said.
Petrol generators provide power to the electrical equipment. Ripe Robotics envisions the final product will use rechargeable electric batteries.
Photo by
Daneka Hill
“We wanted to check that the mechanism we designed was actually capable of picking apples — and we’re picked two apples — so from an engineering viewpoint it is mission accomplished,” Hunter said.
What makes this robot different is its picking method.
Previously Ripe Robotics was trialling a flexible, large pipe which would vacuum fruit off the tree and funnel it down into the machine.
Now, the team has switched to a suction cup that can pick, lift and place the fruit.
The new suction cup arm. On the first field trial the arm proved it was capable of collecting apples in principle.
Photo by
Daneka Hill
Co-founder Leopold Lucas said the switch to a suction cup had completely changed how the fruit is taken off the tree.
“The suction cup makes it more dexterous, it’s smaller and able to go around branches and rotate the fruit,” Leopold said.
“Suction cups are used a lot in warehouse automation so we’re learning from their success.”
Ripe Robotics runs its operations out of a shed on McNab Orchards at Ardmona.
McNab Orchards owner Andrew McNab said fruit picking robots were the future.
“Labour is a problem for us. We’ve been lucky to have Pacific Island workers here over the last few years,” Andrew said.
“The boys (Ripe Robotics) are building something that won’t have a crazy price tag on it. One day we can hopefully have a few of these machines working around the clock.”
McNab Orchards has been gradually changing its growing style to suit automated picking and higher density growth by focusing on single-row, close-planted hedgerows.
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