The world's first automated mango picking robot has been used to harvest fruit in central Queensland. The three-metre-tall robot features nine arms that extend to gently pick the fruit, immediately turning it to avoid sap burning the skin.
Inventor Kerry Walsh from Central Queensland University explained that the machine uses LED lights, sensors, and cameras similar to facial-recognition technology to estimate fruit weight, placement, and ripeness. This allows it to selectively pick mangoes and leave fruit needing more ripening on the tree.
Professor Walsh said robotic harvesting could address labour shortages and reduce occupational risks for workers. He noted that while pack lines and automation have made shed work easier, field picking remains arduous, with workers enduring 40-degree heat and acidic sap.
Central Queensland grower Ian Groves said finding reliable workers is a major challenge for mango farmers. He highlighted the difficulties of training staff, managing paperwork, and checking visas for backpackers. The robot could reduce reliance on large seasonal workforces, though Groves believes it will not replace humans entirely.
The first version of the robot requires refinement before broadscale use. Professor Walsh noted the need to improve the gripper and integrate the machine with existing harvest practices, such as including a mango wash and bin. Groves sees the robot as a glimpse of technology's potential for the industry.
