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11/05/2019

Topic Reading-Vol.2764-11/5/2019


Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Why robots will soon be picking soft fruits and salad
While the world’s population is increasing rapidly, adding two billion from today’s 7.7 billion just in the next three decades, young people are getting less interested in laboring in farms. So, how the 80 million more stomachs in each year will be fed?
The answer seems to be robotics. Just like in manufacturing factories, agricultural robotics is becoming more popular not only to harvest wheat and potatoes but also pick up fruits and vegetables, which are soft and delicate and easily damaged. However, today’s robots use advanced technologies, such as visual sensors and AI. They can find and judge if the fruit or vegetable is ready for harvest. Though such agri-robots pick strawberries or tomatoes not as fast as experienced humans can do for now, they can work nearly 24/7 without breaks. This is especially useful during an intense harvest period. And as the technologies advance, they’ll work faster and become more economical. Another benefit of farm robotics is a waste reduction. In fact, nearly 30% of food rots in the field because they aren’t timely picked by humans.
Sounds almighty? Not quite. Unlike robots in indoor factories, some type of farm robots needs to work outside. There are winds, dust, rains, and lightings, not to mention the heat from the sun. No wonder young people aren’t so interested in working in such a harsh environment.
Enjoy reading and learn about farm robotics.

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