New Robots Developed to Harvest Lettuce for First Time

A robot that can pick ripe strawberries at an expo in Tokyo in 2013. Photo: AFP
A robot that can pick ripe strawberries at an expo in Tokyo in 2013. Photo: AFP
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New Robots Developed to Harvest Lettuce for First Time

A robot that can pick ripe strawberries at an expo in Tokyo in 2013. Photo: AFP
A robot that can pick ripe strawberries at an expo in Tokyo in 2013. Photo: AFP

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a robot that harvests lettuce. Although the prototype named "Vegebot" is nowhere near as fast or efficient as a human worker, it can be considered an achievement in the agriculture robotics field, as described in a study published in the latest issue of The Journal of Field Robotics journal.

Crops such as potatoes and wheat have been harvested mechanically at scale for decades, but many other crops such as iceberg lettuce have to date resisted automation, for two reasons: they can be easily damaged and grow relatively flat to the ground, presenting a challenge for robotic harvesters. Yet, these two problems have been addressed with the new robot.

At the moment, harvesting is the only part of the lettuce life cycle that is done manually, and it's very physically demanding. The researchers also hope Vegebot will contribute to a reduction in costs.

The robot first identifies the 'target' crop within its field of vision, then determines whether particular lettuce is healthy and ready to be harvested, and finally cuts the lettuce from the rest of the plant without crushing it so that it is 'supermarket ready'.

The Vegebot has two main components: a computer vision system and a cutting system. The overhead camera on the Vegebot takes an image of the lettuce field and first identifies all the lettuces in the image, and then for each lettuce, classifies whether it should be harvested or not. Lettuce might be rejected because it's not yet mature, or it might have a disease that could spread to other lettuces in the harvest.

A second camera on the Vegebot is positioned near the cutting blade and helps ensure a smooth cut.

In an email he sent to Asharq Al-Awsat, co-author Josie Hughes admits that: "The robot is slower than human in lettuce harvesting. For a human, the entire process takes a couple of seconds, but it's a really challenging problem for a robot. However, reducing the dependency on humans may help shrink the expenditures, and that's why the new robot is considered economically efficient. "

"We've still got to speed our Vegebot up; however, we plan to market the prototype, which is still being tested before deploying it in fields."



‘The Destination’ Documentary Explores Recent Developments Across Saudi Arabia

The film's title, “The Destination,” embodies the concept of looking to the future and advancing the achievement of goals. SPA
The film's title, “The Destination,” embodies the concept of looking to the future and advancing the achievement of goals. SPA
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‘The Destination’ Documentary Explores Recent Developments Across Saudi Arabia

The film's title, “The Destination,” embodies the concept of looking to the future and advancing the achievement of goals. SPA
The film's title, “The Destination,” embodies the concept of looking to the future and advancing the achievement of goals. SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Media’s Konoz initiative has launched “The Destination” documentary film exploring recent developments across Saudi Arabia’s political, economic, medical, sports, cultural, media, and artistic fields while highlighting progress toward Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s transformation into a global destination.

The film's title, “The Destination,” embodies the concept of looking to the future and advancing the achievement of goals, reflecting the Kingdom’s transformational path toward realizing its ambitious plans.

The Kingdom has now become a destination the world aspires to, owing to the mega projects it is implementing across various fields, with their impact already being felt worldwide.

The start of the film’s production was announced on the sidelines of the Impact Makers Forum (ImpaQ). The initiative also includes several other films and documentaries being produced by the Konoz initiative in cooperation with nine national companies, involving 80 specialized firms and more than 2,600 talented individuals across various fields.

This effort demonstrates the Ministry of Media’s commitment to supporting local production and promoting national content.

The Konoz initiative is part of the Human Capability Development Program under Saudi Vision 2030. It aims to document Saudi Arabia's cultural richness and civilizational contributions, while also highlighting the success stories of Saudi citizens at all levels through the production of documentaries, short films, and animated features.