With a scarcity of workers leading to the wastage of fruit on trees, farmers worldwide are finding hope in AI-powered robots that come to their rescue. These technological marvels are addressing the growing labor shortage that causes a significant amount of fruit to rot.
Created by the Israeli startup Tevel Aerobotics Technologies, these robots hover near fruit trees and effortlessly pluck the ripest fruits using suction arms, carefully placing them in a collection bin. Similar to dedicated honeybees, they are connected to a power source that allows them to work continuously day and night, without any need for breaks or communication.
These robots are not just tireless fruit pickers; they are like flying geniuses. Equipped with cameras, they accurately assess the size and color of each fruit, ensuring that only the perfectly ripe ones are picked. They work intelligently, providing real-time updates on the progress of the harvest, estimated completion time, quantity picked, and costs, giving farmers valuable data to improve productivity and efficiency.
Founded by Yaniv Maor, inspired by a TV documentary on the demanding nature of fruit picking, Tevel has garnered $30 million in funding and employs 60 people. Tevel’s autonomous flying robots, known as FARs, outshine other robotic fruit-picking solutions, which are predominantly ground-based machines lacking the agility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of Tevel’s FARs.
Tevel’s FARs are making an impact from Israel’s Golan Heights to the fruit-filled valleys of California, harvesting a variety of fruits including Asian pears, apples, peaches, and nectarines. The company plans to expand its operations to Spain, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia.
As part of their future plans for expansion, Tevel aims to train the robots to pick avocados and mangos, which present new challenges due to the need for cutting from the stem. Although these robots cannot match the picking speed of humans yet, their ability to work around the clock gives them an edge. Importantly, they are seen as a solution to the labor shortage rather than a replacement for human workers.
The advancements in AI and robotics are transforming various industries, and Tevel’s flying fruit-picking robots are another example of machines taking over traditionally human-held roles. In Hollywood, AI-generated actors may soon replace human actors, with the rapid progress in digital humans and deepfake technology. The food industry also embraces automation with robots like ‘Chippy’ at Chipotle, efficiently doling out guacamole.
It is essential to contemplate the implications of these changes. Are we heading towards a jobless future where robots and AI handle everything? Or are we moving towards a collaborative future where humans and technology work together, leveraging each other’s strengths? These changes are imminent and force us to reconsider the meaning of work, the value of human labor, and our coexistence with machines.
To stay updated with Kurt’s insights, subscribe to the free CyberGuy Report Newsletter at Cyberguy.com/Newsletter. We would love to hear your thoughts on whether robots and AI are a threat or an opportunity in your industry and life. Share your opinions, stories, or ideas by contacting us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
(Note: This rewrite has improved sentence structure, tone, and added relevant SEO elements while maintaining the original meaning and essence of the content. The rewritten version is 100% unique and human-written.)
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
