An electric bayberry picker with direct cooling and fast encapsulation based on machine vision includes: a mechanical claw with at least three flexible fingers, wherein each flexible finger is equipped with a pressure sensor on one side facing the bayberry, and a collecting pipe is arranged at an enclosing center of all the flexible fingers; an image recognition device configured for positioning and recognizing maturity of the bayberry; a carbon dioxide spraying device for spraying carbon dioxide on a fruit stalk and around the bayberry to freeze the fruit stalk and reduce the surface temperature of the bayberry; a photoelectric sensor for detecting whether a bayberry exits an outlet of the collecting pipe; a liquid polyurethane foam spraying device for wrapping the bayberry exited the outlet of the collecting pipe with the liquid polyurethane foam; and a transportation device.

A system for harvesting produce from a tree has a drone capable of hovering, a video camera gathering visual data of movement, a cutting implement, a remote control station with a display screen, wireless circuitry, and input mechanisms to control movement of the drone and operation of the cutting implement, and circuitry in the body of the drone enabling two-way communication with the remote control station, transmission of video data from the video camera, and response to commands from the remote control station. The video data from the camera on the drone is displayed on the display screen of the remote control station, and an operator viewing the display screen operates the input mechanisms, maneuvering the drone to position the cutting implement relative to produce in the tree, and triggers the cutting implement by command, severing a stem to separate the produce, causing the produce to fall from the tree.

A system for harvesting produce from a tree has a drone capable of hovering, a video camera gathering visual data of movement, a cutting implement, a remote control station with a display screen, wireless circuitry, and input mechanisms to control movement of the drone and operation of the cutting implement, and circuitry in the body of the drone enabling two-way communication with the remote control station, transmission of video data from the video camera, and response to commands from the remote control station. The video data from the camera on the drone is displayed on the display screen of the remote control station, and an operator viewing the display screen operates the input mechanisms, maneuvering the drone to position the cutting implement relative to produce in the tree, and triggers the cutting implement by command, severing a stem to separate the produce, causing the produce to fall from the tree.

The fruit perception system for a robotic harvester acquires and processes fruit detection and localization information to enable a robotic manipulator arm to connect with a targeted fruit. The system includes multiple embodiments, but comprises at least one RGB-D camera and one horizontally slidable line scan laser. The system uses the RGB-D camera data and a planning algorithm to identify a specific target fruit to pick first. The line scan laser paints the surface of the target fruit with a laser line and the RGB-D camera extracts line scan laser image data and communicates the line scan laser image data to a controller/processor. The controller/processor processes the extracted laser line image data and determines the xyz position of the centroid of the target fruit, so that the controller/processor directs a manipulator arm to pick the fruit.

The fruit perception system for a robotic harvester acquires and processes fruit detection and localization information to enable a robotic manipulator arm to connect with a targeted fruit. The system includes multiple embodiments, but comprises at least one RGB-D camera and one horizontally slidable line scan laser. The system uses the RGB-D camera data and a planning algorithm to identify a specific target fruit to pick first. The line scan laser paints the surface of the target fruit with a laser line and the RGB-D camera extracts line scan laser image data and communicates the line scan laser image data to a controller/processor. The controller/processor processes the extracted laser line image data and determines the xyz position of the centroid of the target fruit, so that the controller/processor directs a manipulator arm to pick the fruit.

Onboard and/or offboard crop stabilization for reducing movement within an agricultural environment to enhance robotic manipulation for crop harvesting.

Onboard and/or offboard crop stabilization for reducing movement within an agricultural environment to enhance robotic manipulation for crop harvesting.

Robotic systems and specialized end-effectors provide for automated harvesting of produce such as fresh market apples. An underactuated design using tendons and flexure joints with passive compliance increases robustness to position error, overcoming a significant limitation of previous fruit harvesting end-effectors. Some devices use open-loop control, provide a shape-adaptive grasp, and produce contact forces similar to those used during optimal hand picking patterns. Other benefits include relatively low weight, low cost, and simplicity.

A system including a picking apparatus including a plurality of grippers each spaced apart and extending radially from a central axis of the picking apparatus, and each configured to pick a different individual crop of crops of plants. The picking apparatus can be configured to use a first one of the plurality of grippers to pick a first individual crop of the crops at a first time. During a second time period that starts with a second one of the plurality of grippers picking a second individual crop of the crops and ends with a third one of the plurality of grippers picking a third individual crop of the crops, the picking apparatus can be configured to offload the first individual crop from the first one of the plurality of grippers. The second time period can start after the first time. The second and third ones of the plurality of grippers can be configured to hold the second and third individual crops, respectively, at the end of the second time period. Other embodiments are provided.

A system including a picking apparatus including a plurality of grippers each spaced apart and extending radially from a central axis of the picking apparatus, and each configured to pick a different individual crop of crops of plants. The picking apparatus can be configured to use a first one of the plurality of grippers to pick a first individual crop of the crops at a first time. During a second time period that starts with a second one of the plurality of grippers picking a second individual crop of the crops and ends with a third one of the plurality of grippers picking a third individual crop of the crops, the picking apparatus can be configured to offload the first individual crop from the first one of the plurality of grippers. The second time period can start after the first time. The second and third ones of the plurality of grippers can be configured to hold the second and third individual crops, respectively, at the end of the second time period. Other embodiments are provided.