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The new Fieldworker 1 robot can navigate the rows between plants to autonomously pick ripe fruit. | Credit: Fieldwork Robotics
Fieldwork Robotics Ltd. yesterday unveiled the Fieldworker 1, a robot designed to automate berry picking. The Cambridge, U.K.-based company said it expects the robot to pick berries at speeds similar to human workers and to work in a fleet managed by a single operator in the field.
Fieldworker 1 includes significant improvements in berry ripeness detection and picking speed, claimed Fieldwork Robotics. Building on advancements from Innovate UK-backed projects Berry Bot and Berry AI, the robot offers predictable per-berry costs, allowing growers to supplement their workforce and optimize operational efficiency, it said.
“The progress we have made over the last 18 months has been extraordinary,” stated David Fulton, CEO of Fieldwork Robotics. ‘Partnerships with industry-leading companies like Costa Group are a testament to the hard work of our team, the quality of our product, and the effectiveness of our solution which solves a real-world problem for growers.”
“Fieldwork is strengthening our offering to growers operating in the fresh raspberry industry,” he added. “We have secured a healthy pipeline of contracts with some of the world’s largest berry growers operating in our target markets, Australia and the U.S., and I am confident that we will continue to deliver to our customers.”
Fieldwork Robotics has joined an expanding group of harvesting automation providers validating the use of robotics and automation for growers. Companies like Tortuga and Four Growers are deploying similar systems that can autonomously select and harvest “fragile” fruits and vegetables like berries and tomatoes.
Fieldwork collaborates with Costa Group
As part of an agreement with Costa Group, one of Australia’s leading growers of fresh fruit and vegetables, Fieldwork Robotics has deployed its systems for trials at Costa berry farms over the next 12 months. Field trials will begin in the first quarter of 2025.
“We are pleased to be collaborating with Fieldwork, a leader in the autonomous harvesting sector,” said Costa Group. “We have a strong focus on exploring new technology to enhance our harvest operations, and we are looking forward to trialing this technology in our farms over the next year.”
This relationship with Costa signals continued and growing interest in Fieldwork’s technology from customers across the globe, said the companies.
Fieldworker includes a SCARA arm mounted to a vertical linear axis to position for picking. | Credit: Fieldwork Robotics
Fieldworker 1 includes picking improvements
Fieldworker 1 uses artificial intelligence and spectral frequency analysis to eliminate human bias in ripeness assessment, ensuring high-quality harvests, said Fieldwork Robotics. Because a single operator can oversee a fleet, automation can significantly reducing labor needs and boost overall harvesting efficiency, it asserted.
“Our newest model is the height of next-generation autonomous harvesting,” stated Dr. Martin Stoelen, founder and chief science officer at Fieldwork. “From our first ever model developed back in 2016, we have made huge progress in the development of our technology.”
“Our expertise in autonomous agricultural robots has allowed us to craft a sophisticated, cutting-edge robotic system that is of significant benefit to growers operating in the fresh raspberry industry,” he said.
Fieldwork also said the collaboration signifies growing global interest in its technology. With a secured customer pipeline, the company said it is on track to begin its Series A fundraising round in 2025.
Founded in 2016 by Dr. Martin Stoelen, Fieldwork Robotics focuses on developing vertical robots with modular arms for soft fruit harvesting. Its stated mission is to address the interconnected challenges of labor shortages, farm inefficiency, and food waste.
The company secured a £2 million ($2.6 million U.S.) seed funding round in October 2023 and received two Innovate UK grants totaling £1.9 million ($2.5 million) for the BerryBot and BerryAI projects.
The gripper on the Fieldworker 1 robot is designed to pick ripe fruit without damage. | Credit: Fieldwork Robotics