Automating Date Palm Harvesting: KAUST Unveils New Robotic System
The King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) has developed a new AI-powered robotic system to automate date palm harvesting, according to the Saudi Press Agency.
The robot represents a remarkable breakthrough in the agricultural sector and further boosts the agricultural innovation.
The new technology focuses on automating the basic processes in date cultivation, such as harvesting, pollination, and tree maintenance.
Therefore, it plays a significant role in increasing the production of dates while maintaining high nutritional values.
KAUST Assistant Professor Shinkyu Park, stated that the robot can handle dates of different sizes and degrees of hardness. Furthermore, the system will improve dates productivity by collecting and analyzing data to enhance their capabilities in various processes.
Park added that the 'Farm Robot' system ensures the sustainability of agriculture while employing artificial intelligence to increase efficiency.
Interestingly, the system's robotic arms have the ability to move as quickly as a human farmer while precisely picking each date without causing any damage to the system or dates.
Through high-precision visual sensors, the robotic farmers can identify individual dates, flowers, as well as tree structures.
Accordingly, they can carry out several processes such as harvesting, spraying, and pruning, ensuring tree health and productivity, while reducing the risk of pest infestations and diseases.
Park noted that field trials are set to commence during the 2025 harvest season, with full operational capability expected within three years.
As for smaller farmers, Park suggested that a Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model could allow them to access the technology without the burden of purchasing the robots.
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