An apple orchard out the back of Puketapu has a new worker, one which could help the industry’s chronic seasonal labour shortage in the long term.
The world’s first robotic apple harvester has been set up at a T&G Global orchard in Hawke’s Bay.
It looks less like Star Wars’ C-3PO and more like a tractor, and makes a sound similar to a rooster, but it could be a game changer for apple growers, helping ease labour constraints the industry currently experiences.
The robot, which currently is nameless, was designed by American based company Abundant Robotics.
Photo: Dan Steere, CEO of Abundant Robotics, said he feels like a proud parents seeing the robot harvest apples. Photo / Warren Buckland
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Posted: 27 March 2019