Pilot Case 6
Robotic pruning and thinning with XR in orchards in Spain & Belgium
Location: Belgian and Spanish Orchard farmers and cooperatives
Overview
Pilot Case 6 introduces an autonomous mobile robot adapted for precision pruning and thinning tasks in orchards. The platform (shown in the render) is the same as in Pilot Case 5: a mobile base with LiDAR, 3D cameras, IMUs, and GNSS for autonomous navigation; a 2D gantry for vertical and lateral movement; and a 6-DoF industrial manipulator providing a semi-spherical reach next to the vehicle.
For PC6, the manipulator is equipped with a task-specific scissor tool and a tool-mounted 3D camera for precise local alignment. Vision-based AI guides branch identification, while the XR interface supports operator decision-making. Together, this enables the robot to move tree-to-tree, position the arm, and execute controlled pruning or thinning operations safely and effectively.
AgRibot orchard robot platform for Pilot Case 6 — autonomous navigation with LiDAR, cameras, and GNSS, equipped with a 6-DoF arm and scissor tool for precision pruning and thinning.
Timeline
Seasonal data collection will inform model training for pruning decisions. The gripper will undergo multi-season testing, and iterative field trials will refine the robot’s performance in varied tree structures and conditions.
Validation
Evaluation focuses on navigation, target detection accuracy, pruning tool efficiency, and safety. Comparisons to manual pruning will assess precision, plant health impacts, and labor reduction.
AR Integration
XR simulations train farmers in robotic pruning strategies and support expert-guided decision-making. Real-time AR overlays aid the robot and operator in identifying and confirming pruning targets for improved orchard management.