Systems, and methods for harvesting a fruit.

In general terms, the present invention provides a storage system for a fruit or vegetable picking system, in which picked fruit or vegetables are delivered to a fixed filling location of the storage system, and then moved, by a robotic handling mechanism of the storage system, to one of many container locations where filled containers (punnets) are temporarily stored.

A harvesting tool configured to independently grasp and twist a target object. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

A harvesting tool configured to independently grasp and twist a target object. Related systems and methods are also disclosed.

A robotic unit for harvesting a fruit having a stem, the robot unit may include a vacuum unit that is configured to move the fruit, by applying vacuum, towards a cutting region; and a mechanical cutting unit that is configured to mechanically cut the stem following a positioning of the fruit into the cutting region.

A robotic unit for harvesting a fruit having a stem, the robot unit may include a vacuum unit that is configured to move the fruit, by applying vacuum, towards a cutting region; and a mechanical cutting unit that is configured to mechanically cut the stem following a positioning of the fruit into the cutting region.

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.

Disclosed is a fruit picking method based on a visual servo control robot, comprising: placing a throwing apparatus and a fixed photosensitive device at a first position to obtain a fixed photosensitive image; generating a first throwing path, a second throwing path, and a third throwing path; arranging recovery apparatuses; performing simultaneous rotational throwing processing to throw a first wireless photosensitive device, a second wireless photosensitive device, and a third wireless photosensitive device; receiving a first photosensitive image sequence and a second photosensitive image sequence of the first wireless photosensitive device and the second wireless photosensitive device; receiving a third photosensitive image sequence of the third wireless photosensitive device; generating a spatial position of a fruit on a to-be-picked fruit tree; and performing fruit picking processing using the visual servo control robot according to the spatial position of the fruit.

Disclosed is a fruit picking method based on a visual servo control robot, comprising: placing a throwing apparatus and a fixed photosensitive device at a first position to obtain a fixed photosensitive image; generating a first throwing path, a second throwing path, and a third throwing path; arranging recovery apparatuses; performing simultaneous rotational throwing processing to throw a first wireless photosensitive device, a second wireless photosensitive device, and a third wireless photosensitive device; receiving a first photosensitive image sequence and a second photosensitive image sequence of the first wireless photosensitive device and the second wireless photosensitive device; receiving a third photosensitive image sequence of the third wireless photosensitive device; generating a spatial position of a fruit on a to-be-picked fruit tree; and performing fruit picking processing using the visual servo control robot according to the spatial position of the fruit.