Agriculture has always been technologically advanced, and it is one of the industries that is at the forefront of research and development. Its advancement has paralleled growth in fields as diverse as molecular genetics, biochemistry, and materials engineering, and now automation, which is already embedded in many production processes and crop monitoring, has taken it a step further by bringing intelligent robots directly to farms to assist farmers in their daily tasks.
“We designed a harvesting robot prototype at MiFood Robot with a variety of adjustable features. MiFood features a robotic arm with a gripper that can pick a variety of items such as strawberries, grapes, apples, and oranges “Rubén Miranda, the CEO of this technological firm, explains. Each fruit is identified by its 3D vision module. It then compares these in real time with a database of fruit photos provided by the growers themselves, which can be customised for each customer and includes the desired colour, maturity, and size attributes.
“It has a 3 to 6 metre viewing range, and the picker gripper has a precision of roughly 0.02 mm,” Ruben explains. MiFood Robot can harvest both in the open field and in indoor farms because it is waterproof, and it can harvest both during the day and at night since it can be equipped with a low-energy light system. In terms of autonomy, the robot can always be connected to a power supply and, if one is not accessible on the farm, it can function autonomously for up to 12 hours with a single battery recharge. “We’re getting a lot of interest from greenhouse strawberry growers, which is a labor-intensive crop, at a time when there’s a labour shortage in the field,” says MiFood Robot’s CEO. “This scarcity has gotten worse owing to the pandemic and Brexit, causing many productions to be lost.” “We’re getting a lot of interest from people who want to make money off of this.”
MiFood Robot’s project has drawn the attention of innovation drivers in companies in the United States, Hong Kong, and Poland from the start, and with the help of European Union programmes, it has helped the company consolidate its development in the field of agricultural robotics, which accounts for 8% of the global market. “The MiFood Robot harvesting robot is a solution that not only assists with agricultural activities, but also contributes to reaching five of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” says Rubén Miranda, emphasising that robotics technology is accessible to everybody. “An average farm in Western Europe may recoup their investment in one of our harvesting robots in just 18 months.” In addition to the operations in Spain and Poland, there will be a branch opening in the United States.
Follow The Indian Sun on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Support Independent Community Journalism
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun exists for one reason: to tell stories that might otherwise go unheard.
We report on local councils, state politics, small businesses and cultural festivals. We focus on the Indian diaspora and the wider multicultural community with care, balance and accountability. We publish in print and online, send regular newsletters and produce video content. We also run media training programs to help community organisations share their own stories.
We operate independently.
Community journalism does not have the backing of large media corporations. Advertising revenue fluctuates. Platform algorithms change. Costs continue to rise. Yet the need for credible, grounded reporting in a multicultural Australia has never been greater.
When you support The Indian Sun, you support:
• Independent reporting on issues affecting migrant communities
• Coverage of local and state decisions that shape daily life
• A platform for small businesses and community groups
• Media training that builds skills within the community
• Journalism accountable to readers
We cannot cover everything, but we work to cover what matters.
If you value thoughtful reporting that reflects Australia’s diversity, we invite you to contribute. Every donation helps us maintain the quality and consistency of our work.
Please consider making a contribution today.
Thank you for your support.
The Indian Sun Team
