Belgium. A robot replaces ten asparagus pickers
This can be measured when the asparagus out of the sand with a radar and know if they are ready for harvest. Meanwhile, the unit works harvested asparagus loose underground and removed from the bed. As the robot stops, and harvesting continues, the tractor can keep moving.
The producer of asparagus Ad Vermeer, Brabant, has shown the operation of a new robot harvesting asparagus fully automatically. Demcon technology company, Enschede, the robot developed within the project Twent TechForFuture with Saxion University.
The basis of the concept is the method of Ad Vermeer, which can measure when the asparagus out of the sand with a radar and know if they are ready for harvest. The SRE (Eindhoven Regional Government) has contributed through a grant. Demcon provided the mechanics and electronics and Saxion developed a system to carry the mechanism of picking the right place. The unit works harvested asparagus loose underground and removed from the bed. As the robot stops, and harvesting continues, the tractor can keep moving.
60,000 fewer workers
Ad Vermeer explains: “The machine covers one hectare per hour and replaces ten people I calculated that my system requires 60,000 workers less if applied worldwide Luckily, this loss will be offset by better jobs in the industry.. high technology. In addition, it is increasingly difficult for farmers to find these employees. Every time they have to look further into Eastern Europe. At the end, the machine also reduces waste. Because of its accuracy, the number of failed asparagus It has been greatly reduced. ”
On the market in two years
The robot cost about half a million euros and expects his company Vermeer, Cerescon, has a turnover of around 30 million euros per year. You not yet know where will be built, but Demcon director, Dennis Schipper says his company is in the market for it. Vermeer also emphasizes that the robot is still in the development phase and is not yet for sale. “We hope to market the robot harvesting asparagus in two years.”
TVVE
