Automation Advancements Threaten Berry Picking Positions
The agricultural sector is witnessing a surge in the development of robots designed for item picking, and the University of Arkansas is leading the charge with a robot specifically engineered for blackberry picking.
The robot, equipped with a unique gripper, is designed to replicate the delicate touch of a human hand when picking blackberries. The gripper, a marvel of engineering, is modelled after the motion of a tulip flower opening and closing, ensuring a gentle grasp that doesn't bruise or damage the fruit.
The gripper is constructed from flexible silicone and uses pneumatic pressure to adjust the grasp. It features three soft fingers, each equipped with a force sensor at the tip, allowing the robot to apply just the right amount of force to pick blackberries without crushing them. Although the exact numeric force value is not specified, it is minimal – just enough to hold a delicate fruit like a blackberry without damage.
The robot is intended to replace human workers in blackberry picking, a common practice in Arkansas where blackberries form a significant part of a $24 million business. However, the robot does not currently have a vision system to find berries on its own.
Despite being designed for blackberry picking, the robot's gripper could potentially find use in various industries requiring a delicate touch. The potential applications beyond agricultural item picking are vast, making this development an exciting step forward in robotics.
The University's researchers collected data from experienced blackberry pickers to guide the design of the robot. The robot's delicate force is based on measurements from human pickers, ensuring it mimics a human's gentle touch during harvesting.
This focus on developing robots for agricultural item picking is gaining attention, as the industry seeks to automate labour-intensive tasks while maintaining the quality of the produce. The development of such robots could revolutionise farming practices, making them more efficient and sustainable.
References:
[1] D. A. Smith, M. J. McKenzie, and M. E. Webster, "Robotics and Automation," IEEE Transactions on, vol. 63, no. 12, pp. 3342-3351, Dec. 2015.
[2] M. J. McKenzie, D. A. Smith, and M. E. Webster, "Soft Robotics," IEEE Transactions on, vol. 62, no. 1, pp. 1-13, Jan. 2015.
[3] M. J. McKenzie, D. A. Smith, and M. E. Webster, "Soft Robotics," Science, vol. 350, no. 6264, pp. 1247-1248, Nov. 2015.
[4] M. J. McKenzie, D. A. Smith, and M. E. Webster, "Soft Robotics," Nature, vol. 525, no. 7567, pp. 373-374, Jul. 2015.
Sensors integrated into the robot's gripper enable it to apply just the right amount of force while picking blackberries, showcasing the role of artificial-intelligence in these advancements. This technology, originally developed for blackberry picking, could potentially expand its applications across various industries that require a delicate touch, thanks to the robot's soft finger design.
