Key Takeaways:
- Nanovel introduces the world’s first AI-powered autonomous fruit-harvesting robot for citrus, capable of navigating dense foliage and selectively picking fruit.
- The California Citrus Research Board (CRB) signed a $900,000 non-dilutive funding agreement with Nanovel, supporting field trials in California starting in 2025.
- The robot addresses labor shortages and rising operational costs faced by fruit growers globally, offering year-round, day-and-night operation for improved productivity.
- Nanovel’s robot uses AI and edge computing for real-time decision-making, ensuring precision harvesting and valuable data collection for growers.
- The company aims to expand its technology to other major citrus markets, including the U.S., Spain, and Italy.
Nanovel Unveils Groundbreaking AI-Powered Robot for Citrus Harvesting
Nanovel, an Israeli AgTech startup, has introduced its AI-powered autonomous fruit-harvesting robot. This technology is designed to pick citrus fruit from large trees with dense foliage, offering a solution to a major challenge in the fresh fruit market. The system represents a breakthrough in precision harvesting and aims to transform global fruit harvesting practices.
The robot’s development has been recognized by the California Citrus Research Board (CRB), which signed a $900,000 non-dilutive funding agreement with Nanovel. The funding supports the delivery of the robot to the CRB following a series of field trials in California, set to begin in 2025.
Addressing Labor Shortages and Rising Costs
Nanovel’s AI-powered harvesting system offers a solution to two of the biggest challenges faced by fruit growers worldwide: labor shortages and rising operational costs. According to a survey by Western Growers, profitability and labor availability were ranked as the top concerns for specialty crop growers.
“Our mission is to secure the affordability of fresh fruit through autonomous harvesting,” said Isaac Mazor, Founder and CEO of Nanovel. “Our goal is to deploy Nanovel’s solution into major global citrus markets, particularly in the U.S. and Southern European countries like Spain and Italy. We aim to set a new standard for fresh market harvesting, ensuring high quality and economic viability for growers.”
Nanovel was established in 2018 by Mazor, a seasoned entrepreneur with over three decades of experience in technology innovation, including AI, computer vision, and robotics. The company’s autonomous robot offers growers a solution that could significantly reduce the logistical challenges and expenses associated with hiring seasonal workers.
Breakthrough Technology for Citrus Harvesting
The AI-powered robot is designed specifically to harvest fruit for the fresh market, starting with oranges and expanding to other citrus varieties in the future. The system uses advanced vision technology, AI, and edge computing to identify, assess, and selectively pick fruit that meets quality standards. With multiple telescopic arms equipped with vacuum grippers and cutters, the robot cradles the fruit before trimming the stems to ensure the fruit is not damaged during the picking process.
Unlike traditional methods, Nanovel’s system operates autonomously and can work around the clock, optimizing productivity by harvesting during the day and night. This enables growers to pick fruit at the optimal time, improving the quality of the produce and potentially increasing its market value. The platform’s multi-arm design will initially be towed by a tractor, with future versions planned to include autonomous navigation capabilities.
Real-Time Data and Labor Efficiency
Nanovel’s AI-powered robot not only automates the harvesting process but also delivers real-time data that is crucial for decision-making in packing, marketing, and agronomic activities. The system’s edge computing capabilities allow it to gather and analyze data on the go, providing insights that growers can use to optimize their operations.
The labor savings are also substantial. Studies have shown that manual fruit harvesting accounts for up to 50% of annual cultural costs in the citrus industry in developed countries. By automating this labor-intensive process, Nanovel’s technology significantly reduces operational costs while addressing the challenge of finding seasonal labor.
Additionally, the robot enhances worker safety by eliminating the need for laborers to perform the dangerous task of picking fruit from ladders, which can lead to accidents and injuries. This improvement in safety is another key benefit of automating the fruit-harvesting process.
Support from the California Citrus Research Board
The California Citrus Research Board (CRB), a major organization in the citrus industry, has recognized the value of Nanovel’s technology. The CRB’s $900,000 funding agreement will support field trials in collaboration with leading citrus growers in California, starting in the spring of 2025. Upon completion of these trials, a Nanovel robot will be delivered to the CRB for further evaluation and use.
“This partnership is a significant step for both Nanovel and the citrus industry,” said Mazor. “With the backing of the CRB, we are confident that our technology will prove its value in real-world conditions, further validating its potential to address labor shortages and operational costs in the citrus market.”
