Researchers from Universidad Católica are developing a robot that harvests cherries and blueberries
A team of engineers from Chile’s Universidad Católica (UC), led by Professor Miguel Torres, are developing an innovative robot to carry out agricultural tasks autonomously and support the work of Chilean farmers.
According to a report in The Clinic, the project aims to offer a robotic system capable of carrying out repetitive and demanding tasks, such as pruning, weeding, thinning, applying fertilisers and harvesting delicate fruits such as cherries, blueberries and nectarines.
Torres explained: “These tasks require precision and consistency. The idea is to have a technological tool that can assist workers in tasks that require such skills, contributing to the efficiency of the sector.”
The robot being developed has a mobile base capable of moving on uneven terrain and two arms that can manipulate elements.
According to Torres it is designed adapt to field conditions and operate in open spaces without the need for specific infrastructure. To teach it to perform its tasks, Artificial Intelligence algorithms are used that allow it to adapt and improve its performance.
“We are working on a system that not only performs predefined tasks, but also learns and adjusts to different working conditions in the field. The use of AI is key in this project, as it gives the robot the ability to make decisions in real time,” he said.
Researchers are currently perfecting the robot’s sensors and perception systems to improve its ability to capture relevant information and process it efficiently. The idea is for the robot to have a level of autonomy that allows it to make optimal decisions in different situations.
