Advancements in Robotic Blackberry Harvesting Technology

Researchers have developed a soft robotic gripper designed to harvest blackberries with minimal damage, addressing labor shortages in agriculture. The gripper, inspired by the human hand, utilizes silicone fingers equipped with sensors to apply appropriate force during harvesting. Field tests demonstrated that the gripper could harvest berries with minimal damage, maintaining a harvesting reliability of approximately 95% and a rate of about 4.8 seconds per berry. This innovation offers a promising solution for automating the delicate process of blackberry harvesting, potentially reducing labor costs and improving efficiency in the industry.