A fruit harvesting system includes a vacuum generating subsystem and an end effector connected to the vacuum generating subsystem. The end effector has a first tube having a first diameter, and a second tube having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter so the second tube fits inside the first tube. A fruit harvesting system includes a vacuum generating subsystem, a tube connected to the vacuum generating subsystem and at least one structure coupled to an inside of the tube. A fruit harvesting system includes a vacuum generating subsystem, a first tube connected to the vacuum generating subsystem, and a second tube coupled to the first tube, the second tube having a tubular portion coupled to the first tube in an orientation other than parallel, the second tube having openings on opposite sides of the first tube.

A mobile picking platform system includes a mobile picking platform having a mobile carriage with a superstructure supporting multiple adjustable picking stations. A storage box carrier on the mobile picking platform has a pick position with storage boxes held at optimum heights for access by pickers on the picking stations, an unload position in which full storage boxes are unloaded onto a ground surface, and a load position for receiving empty storage boxes. A storage unit carries empty storage boxes and facilitates transfer of storage boxes to the mobile picking platform. A shuttle trailer may also be included in the system to transfer empty storage boxes to the mobile picking platform and storage unit. The shuttle trailer has a down position in which full storage boxes may be picked up from a ground surface, and an up position for transferring storage boxes to the storage unit or mobile picking platform.

A robotic arm and a method for harvesting a fruit. The robotic arm includes (i) a cutting unit that includes a fruit support element, stem cutting elements and an intermediate frame, (ii) a manipulator that is configured to (a) move the cutting unit of the robotic arm to a stem cutting position, and (b) move the stem cutting elements during a cutting of a stem connected to the fruit. When positioned in the stem cutting position, the intermediate frame is configured to substantially surround an intermediate portion of the fruit, the fruit support element is configured to support a lower portion of the fruit, and the stem cutting elements are configured to perform a movement between a first position to a second position thereby cutting the stem. The movement includes an elevating of the stem cutting elements.

A robotic arm and a method for harvesting a fruit. The robotic arm includes (i) a cutting unit that includes a fruit support element, stem cutting elements and an intermediate frame, (ii) a manipulator that is configured to (a) move the cutting unit of the robotic arm to a stem cutting position, and (b) move the stem cutting elements during a cutting of a stem connected to the fruit. When positioned in the stem cutting position, the intermediate frame is configured to substantially surround an intermediate portion of the fruit, the fruit support element is configured to support a lower portion of the fruit, and the stem cutting elements are configured to perform a movement between a first position to a second position thereby cutting the stem. The movement includes an elevating of the stem cutting elements.

A robotic harvesting system includes a base, a linear transport, a robotic arm, and an end effector. The base is configured to move in a direction of travel. A linear transport is mounted to the base. The linear transport is configured to move along the base in substantially a same direction or opposite direction as the direction of travel. A robotic arm is mounted to the linear transport. The robotic arm has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the robotic arm is configured to rotate toward and away from the base from a first joint. An end effector is mounted on the distal end of the robotic arm.

A robotic harvesting system includes a base, a linear transport, a robotic arm, and an end effector. The base is configured to move in a direction of travel. A linear transport is mounted to the base. The linear transport is configured to move along the base in substantially a same direction or opposite direction as the direction of travel. A robotic arm is mounted to the linear transport. The robotic arm has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the robotic arm is configured to rotate toward and away from the base from a first joint. An end effector is mounted on the distal end of the robotic arm.

An example system includes a vacuum generating device, a robotic arm, and a harvesting device coupled to the robotic arm. The harvesting device includes an end-effector having an inlet; a vacuum tube coupled to the inlet of the end-effector and to the vacuum generating device, where the vacuum generating device is configured to generate a vacuum environment in the vacuum tube; an outlet mechanism coupled to the vacuum tube; and a deceleration structure configured to decelerate fruit that has traversed at least a portion of the vacuum environment.

An example system includes a vacuum generating device, a robotic arm, and a harvesting device coupled to the robotic arm. The harvesting device includes an end-effector having an inlet; a vacuum tube coupled to the inlet of the end-effector and to the vacuum generating device, where the vacuum generating device is configured to generate a vacuum environment in the vacuum tube; an outlet mechanism coupled to the vacuum tube; and a deceleration structure configured to decelerate fruit that has traversed at least a portion of the vacuum environment.

A fruit harvesting system includes a vacuum generating subsystem and an end effector connected to the vacuum generating subsystem. The end effector has a first tube having a first diameter, and a second tube having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter so the second tube fits inside the first tube. A fruit harvesting system includes a vacuum generating subsystem, a tube connected to the vacuum generating subsystem and at least one structure coupled to an inside of the tube. A fruit harvesting system includes a vacuum generating subsystem, a first tube connected to the vacuum generating subsystem, and a second tube coupled to the first tube, the second tube having a tubular portion coupled to the first tube in an orientation other than parallel, the second tube having openings on opposite sides of the first tube.

Systems, and methods for harvesting a fruit.