Agricultural Robotics

The Orion Auto Harvester has been featured as a case study in the 2025 Robotics Roadmap for Australia, Agricultural Chapter. This recognition highlights the role of automation in shaping the future of Australian agriculture, particularly in the mango industry, where labor shortages and efficiency challenges have long been barriers to growth. The Robotics Roadmap for Australia is a critical industry guide, mapping the impact of robotics and automation across key sectors, including agriculture. With increasing labor shortages, rising operational costs, and climate variability, Australian farmers need innovative solutions to remain competitive. "The 2025 Robotics Roadmap highlights the need for automation in Australian agriculture, and we’re proud to see the Orion mango Auto Harvester featured as a leading innovation in the industry. Our on-farm partnerships have been key to proving that advanced robotics can deliver real productivity gains for growers. This is a pivotal moment for ag-tech, and we look forward to driving further advancements in the sector." — Amanda White PhD, Director of Agricultural Robotics, at the 2025 Robotics Roadmap Launch Event. The Agricultural Chapter of the 2025 Roadmap explores how robotics can address these challenges by: ? Enhancing efficiency in harvesting, planting, and crop monitoring ? Reducing reliance on seasonal labor shortages ? Improving sustainability through precision agriculture ? Supporting food security and export competitiveness The Orion Auto Harvester is an advanced robotic system developed to revolutionize mango harvesting. Using cutting-edge machine vision and AI-driven robotic handling, Orion ensures fruit is picked efficiently, reducing waste and improving yield consistency. This case study focuses on innovation with Niceforo Farms, a leading Aussie mango producer, and the CQUniversity Future Farming team lead by Kerry Walsh. Niceforo Farms has been instrumental in helping us refine and deploy the Orion Auto Harvester in real-world conditions, ensuring that the system meets the demands of large-scale mango production. We encourage all industry stakeholders—farmers, agribusinesses, policymakers, and technology developers—to explore the 2025 Robotics Roadmap and see how automation is transforming agriculture. ?? Download the Roadmap here: https://lnkd.in/gXMRH79U By embracing robotics, we can build a more resilient, productive, and sustainable future for Australian agriculture. We’re excited to be part of this journey and look forward to continued collaboration with industry partners. #robotics #roboticsroadmap #roboticsroadmapaustralia #australia #agtech #mango #orion Freelance Robotics Robotics Australia Group Sue Keay ???? Nicci Rossouw Hort Innovation

Australia’s agricultural sector is embracing robotics to tackle labour shortages and improve productivity, as highlighted in the Robotics Roadmap for Australia 2025. Inclusion of the Orion Auto Harvester as a case study in the Ag Chapter underscores the critical role of automation in securing the future of our farms. The inaugural Excellence in Robotics awards kicked off the event. Congratulations goes to SwarmFarm Robotics for their win in the Agricultural Category. Many thanks to our Director Amanda White PhD for attending the Roadmap launch and talking all things ag-tech on behalf of Agricultural Robotics! #AgriculturalRobotics #Automation #FutureFarming #Innovation #Roadmap2025 Robotics Australia Group

The global fresh produce industry converged in Berlin this February for FRUIT LOGISTICA 2025. Among the technology showcased was the Near-Infrared #NIR data platform on?FruitMaps.com with Felix Instruments - Applied Food Science. Their range of Quality Meter have transformed the way fruit maturity is assessed, offering insights into Brix and dry matter levels for a wide range of fruit and veg. A trade fair highlight was the launch of the??? Grape Quality Meter?expanding the Felix Instruments range. This cutting-edge device provides?instant, non-destructive insights into grape quality, enabling vineyard owners and distributors to optimize their harvest strategies with confidence. Key benefits of the Quality Meter include: ? Quick and accurate?measurements of sugar levels, ripeness, and overall fruit health. ?Improved decision-making for?harvesting, storage, and distribution. Live demonstrations at the conference showed firsthand how this tool enhances?efficiency and profitability?for the viticulture industry. Congratulations to?Felix Instruments?on this groundbreaking innovation, which is set to?redefine precision agriculture?in the grape industry! The??? Mango Quality Meter?is?available now?and offers the same high-precision, non-destructive fruit maturity analysis.?By integrating data from a range of NIR devices,?FruitMaps provides a centralised tool that helps growers and supply chains monitor fruit maturity trends across different regions and crops. The longstanding synergy between?FruitMaps.com and Felix Instruments?highlights smarter, data-driven agriculture. As NIR technology continues to meet the market, its integration into digital platforms empowers growers and distributors to maximize efficiency, reduce waste, and deliver consistently high-quality produce to markets worldwide.

??FNQ Field Trials at Walkamin Research Station ??? Ryan Orr and Dickinson Geoff at the Department of Primary Industries (Queensland) hosted the Mango AutoHarvester with Rafael Goulart and Kerry Walsh, CQUniversity. Walkamin Research Station is a hub for developing and testing mango varieties, focusing on improving yield, disease resistance, fruit quality, and adaptability to different environmental conditions. Mango tree canopy shapes make a real difference for automation solutions, and field trials are key to advancing our understanding of how orchard design impacts robotic fruit harvesting. Despite the storms, progress was made - well done, team! At Agricultural Robotics, we’re so excited to cross-collaborate with experts in the field and maximize the potential of intensification research trials. By rethinking orchard and tree design, we can support future farming needs with practical, innovative solutions that work for growers. #Automation #AgTech #Horticulture #FruitHarvesting #CQU #DPI #InnovationInAgriculture #mango

Making waves! The Orion suite, encompassing the Autoharvester, Vision Rig, Fruitmaps, and the Orion manual data entry app, is reshaping how mango orchards are managed and harvested. Hort Innovation highlighted our work in their?2023/24 Annual Report. Developed to meet the unique needs of the mango industry, each component of Orion is designed to improve yield predictions, optimize labor, and increase overall productivity and sustainability. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gQiWS9Cz For the Hort Innovation Annual Report https://lnkd.in/gCC7hm8W

Are you a postgraduate student eager to push the boundaries of technology in agriculture? Freelance Robotics, in partnership with CQUniversity, is offering an exceptional PhD opportunity focused on unmanned ground vehicles #UGV and their application in mango orchard management. ?? About the Project Zhenglin Wang is leading a groundbreaking project aimed at revolutionizing orchard imaging and harvesting through the integration of UGV technology. - Advanced Orchard Imaging: Deploying UGVs with state-of-the-art sensors to capture precise and comprehensive images of orchards. - Innovative Harvesting Solutions: Utilizing UGVs to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the harvesting process. - AI-Driven Data Analysis: Implementing artificial intelligence to process data and generate detailed yield maps from harvester inputs. - Automation & Cloud Integration: Automating data collection and analysis through a cloud-based web application, delivering actionable insights to growers. ?? Why Join Us? Be at the forefront of merging robotics and agriculture, developing technologies that will shape the future of farming. You can contribute to optimizing farming practices, improving resource allocation, and boosting crop yield and quality. On this Australian Government Department of Education NI PhD project you will work closely with experts from Agricultural Robotics and CQU, gaining valuable experience and insights. If you're passionate about integrating advanced technology with agriculture and eager to make a significant impact in orchard management, we want to hear from you! ?? Learn more & Apply: https://lnkd.in/gbPaHpsj #PhDOpportunity #AgriculturalRobotics #UGVTechnology #AI #OrchardManagement #InnovationInAg #FutureOfFarming #DataScience #Agriculture #NIPhD #AusIndustry #CQU

A conversation could change a life?https://lnkd.in/guhQkQG By getting onboard with RUOK Day, our national day of action this Thursday September 12, regional and remote Australians can build on this culture of openness and support. RUOK Day not only helps individuals feel more connected but also strengthens the overall resilience of rural communities. It’s a reminder that no one is truly alone, and that by taking the time to ask if someone is okay, we can all contribute to a healthier, more supportive society. In the spirit of RUOK Day, let’s continue to champion mental health awareness and support one another, not just on this day, but every day. Whether you’re in a bustling city or a quiet rural town, your efforts to reach out and connect can make a world of difference. So, let’s make a commitment to check in on each other, celebrate the strength of our communities, and work together towards better mental health for everyone. If you have something to ask or something to say, why not reach out? https://lnkd.in/gyEPPVkJ #JoinRUOKDay #RUOK

Congratulations to Freelance Robotics and CQUniversity Institute of Future Farming Systems! Round 3 of the National Industry PhD Program was highly competitive. Together, we are focused on integrating advanced guidance automation and expanded data analytics to transform how data is collected in the field. Our project will enhance these capabilities to create a tailor-made solution for the mango industry. Stay tuned for more updates on how we're pushing the boundaries of agricultural technology for mango growers. #AgTech #Innovation #Automation #DataAnalytics Australian Government Department of Education #mango #UGV #NIPP

Liz’s journey with us was distinguished by both her pursuit of excellence and her deep care for the Australian ag-tech community. She was more than a professional; she was a mentor, a guide, and an inspiration. Her ability to connect with people and her genuine desire to make a difference set Liz apart as a supporter for regional tech equity. We met Liz Alexander through her exceptional work with the AusIndustry Accelerating Commercialisation Grant as an independent facilitator for the federal Department of Industry, Science and Resources Entrepreneur Program. Thanks to her support both the mango Orion Ag-Tech, as well as this company Agricultural Robotics, are having strong market entry. Our team continued working with Liz in 2023 and 2024 through her agricultural innovation consultancy business, FrontPaw. Her enthusiasm and belief in what we do drove our success at Croc Pitch, winning the $1M offer in venture capital with PASPALIS and the Darwin Innovation Hub. Liz’s passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment made a lasting impact on us. It was a privilege to work with her. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gif9WT8Q

Missed the Australian Mangoes (Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA)) Conference 2024? Don't worry! Click below for our visual recap on the Agricultural Robotics Blog. ??Connect ??Inspire ??Innovate ?? https://lnkd.in/gAyCEj-A #AMIA2024 #Mango #AgriculturalRobotics #Innovation #Agritech