Editor-Curated Robotics Industry Briefing - RobotToday

Nanovel Develops Autonomous Citrus Harvesting Technology to Address Labor Challenges

Israeli ag robotics startup Nanovel is tackling the complexities of robotic citrus harvesting. Their patented autonomous harvester features robotic arms that can reach deep into citrus trees, using a vacuum gripper to collect fruit while minimizing damage. The system employs computer vision and AI to navigate the canopy and manage a fleet of robots. This innovation is significant as manual labor constitutes about 50% of production costs in citrus farming, particularly in regions sensitive to labor availability. Nanovel's technology aims to reduce these costs, with harvesting expenses estimated at $25-30 per 900-lb field bin compared to $42-43 for manual labor. The ability to schedule harvests reliably without dependence on seasonal workers enhances operational efficiency. Looking ahead, Nanovel plans to conduct trials with leading growers in southern Europe in 2027, followed by pilot deployments in 2028 and commercial rollout in 2029. The company has secured a €2.5 million grant from the European Innovation Council to support its development efforts.