Flying Fruit Picker

A new drone that autonomously targets, picks and collects fruit right off the tree could revolutionize the orchard farming industry. Although it’s still in the development stage, pilot programs will soon be underway in Europe and the U.S.

Dubbed FAR™ (flying autonomous robots) the drones are equipped with sensors and cameras that enable them to determine whether a piece of fruit is ready to be picked. QR codes are then used to instruct them where the fruit is to be collected. Several drones are tethered to a central machine that travels slowly through the orchard, providing power and enabling them to operate for longer periods. Individual drones can be monitored through use of GPS and a mobile app while they operate 24 hours a day.

The company is planning to rent out the service to farmers during harvest time. Although the cost has not been disclosed, the goal is to make the system more efficient and cheaper than hiring temporary labor.