Israeli startup Tevel Aerobotics Technologies has developed its Flying Autonomous Robot (FAR) platform for agricultural applications.

As the agricultural sector grapples with an ongoing shortage of human laborers, Tevel Aerobotics Technologies has developed an apple picking drone under its FAR platform.

Source: Tevel Aerobotics Technologies

Using artificial intelligence (AI) to distinguish ripe apples from apples not yet ready for harvesting, the network of apple-picking drones is tethered to a ground vehicle that moves between the rows of apple trees in an orchard. As the vehicle moves, the tethered drones use their arms and articulated grippers to pick ripe apples from the trees.

Once picked, the apples are deposited on a tarp featuring QR codes. When deposited on the QR codes, the apples are fed into nearby crates.

Capable of operating day and night autonomously, the apple-picking drone can be monitored using GPS and mobile apps.

To watch the apple-picking drone in action, watching the accompanying video that appears courtesy of Tevel Aerobotics Technologies.