Rapid Damage-Free Robotic Harvesting of Tomatoes

This book shares the latest findings on this topic, systematically introduces readers to advances made in robotic harvesting around the globe, and explores the relations between the development of robotic harvesting and the respective social/economic conditions and agricultural business patterns in various countries/regions. Due to the unstructured setting it is used in, and to the significant differences between individual fruit and vegetable targets, robotic harvesting is currently considered to be one of the most challenging robotics technologies. Accordingly, research into this area involves the integration of various aspects, including biomechanics, optimization design, advanced perception and intelligent control.

In addition to rapid and damage-free robotic harvesting, which reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the topic, further aspects addressed include gripping collisions with viscoelastic objects, using lasers to cut plant material, plant-fruit response to vacuum sucking and pulling, and performance probability distribution. Highlighting outstanding innovations and reflecting the latest advances in intelligent agricultural equipment in China, the book offers a unique and valuable resource.

History and Present Situations of Robotic Harvesting Technology: A Review.- Damage and Damage-Free Harvesting in Robotic Operation.- The Physical and Mechanical Properties of Tomato Fruit and Stem.- Development of Damage-Free Hand-Arm System for Tomato Harvesting.- Mathematical Modeling of Speedy and Flexible Gripping of Fruit.- Simulation of Flexible Robotic Gripping of Fruit.- Modeling of the Vacuum Sucked Pulling of Tomato Fruit.- Fruit Detaching Methods for Robotic Damage-Free Tomato Harvesting.- Control Optimization and Test Study.