Key Takeaways:
- Inaho Inc. has been trialing its snack tomato harvesting robot with Dutch growers since May 2023.
- The robot has significantly improved in speed, accuracy, and practicality during recent trials.
- Dutch grower Nick Duijvestijn has adopted the robot, paying for its harvesting performance since November 2023.
- Inaho is seeking more partner growers for commercialization, offering early-stage benefits.
Inaho’s Tomato Harvesting Robot Shows Progress in Dutch Greenhouses
Inaho Inc., based in Kanagawa, Japan, has been conducting trials of its snack tomato (loose cherry tomato) harvesting robot with growers in the Netherlands since May 2023. The trials have shown positive results, and as of November 2023, the cooperating grower has agreed to pay for the robot’s harvesting performance. The latest trial, held between June and July 2024, demonstrated several key improvements in the robot’s performance.
Enhanced Speed, Accuracy, and Design
Over the past year, the robot’s harvesting speed has doubled due to new hardware, including a chip, camera, and improved AI software. In addition to increased speed, the robot now makes fewer mistakes, with improved image recognition reducing the number of dropped or green tomatoes mistakenly picked. The robot’s body has also been slimmed down, making it more practical for greenhouses by reducing the risk of plant damage and allowing it to navigate smaller lanes.
Partnerships with Innovative Growers
Dutch grower Nick Duijvestijn, who has been closely working with inaho, emphasized the importance of preparing for rising labor costs and shortages. He noted, “Cooperation with inaho gives us an opportunity to get used to working with harvesting robots. Inaho’s robot is easy to operate for the employees, and our tomatoes are harvested safely without any damage to the fruits and plants.”
Looking for Partner Growers for Commercialization
Inaho is actively seeking additional partner growers to expand its trials and prepare for the commercialization of its robots. “We want to expand the scales of our trials to get ready for commercializing our robots,” said Sohya Ohyama, COO of inaho. Early collaborators will have the opportunity to benefit from discounts and priority use of the robots.
This collaborative approach is aimed at refining the robots for large-scale deployment and maximizing co-performance between humans and robots, making inaho a strong player in the future of agricultural automation.
