Research development of fruit and vegetable harvesting robots in China

 

 

 

Bin Li¹, Clément Vigneault² and Ning Wang^3*

¹Key Laboratory of Modern Precision Agriculture System Integration Research, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China

²Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada

³Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA

 

 

 

Abstract

Purpose of review: This article reviews the current status of fruit and vegetable harvesting machines in China. The effect of recent policies in China and research progress in developing fruit and vegetable harvesting robots are also discussed. An example of a robotic system is presented through a pineapple harvesting robot project. Typical problems for fruit and vegetable harvesting and potential solutions are discussed.

Findings: Recently, scientific breakthroughs, technological developments and social renovation have taken place in China. Following the drastically increased demand for robotic fruit and vegetable harvesting, handling and packing, the Chinese Government has provided a good environment to support research and development in this field. However, compared to other developed countries, research in China for fruit and vegetable harvesting robots has a long way to go, especially for the application aspects; however, the technical problems encountered are not significantly different from those in other parts of the world.

Directions for future research: Aiming at recent problems, some advice and ideas for further research in fruit and vegetable harvesting robots are given such as: strengthening international cooperation and exchanges; strengthening the collaboration among industry, academia and research institutes; development of man-machine cooperation; and combination of intelligent agricultural machinery and agronomy.

 

Keywords: China; fruit; vegetable; harvest; agriculture; horticulture; robot; pineapple

 

Stewart Postharvest Review 2010, 3:12

Published online 01 June 2010

doi: 10.2212/spr.2010.3.12