UK based Autopickr introduces Gus, an asparagus harvester

Cambridge-based Autopickr is developing ‘Gus’, a robotic precision agriculture and harvesting platform. - Photo: Autopickr

Gus is a fully automated asparagus harvester. Gus incorporates AI and navigation technologies, robust robotics, and new technology to optimise the harvesting process. Cambridge based Autopickr is developing Gus.

Autopickr is a Cambridge based agri-tech company who specialise in developing high tech, low cost harvesting and field solutions for the agriculture industry. The company is working on adaptive robotic platforms that are designed to tackle labour-intensive tasks in both fields and greenhouses across the agriculture industry.

Gus weighs approximately 45 kg, the four-wheeled, battery powered platform can pick 100 per cent of all harvestable asparagus autonomously on an eight-to-10-hour shift. Lightweight and compact Gus is an easy two person lift. Gus can be transported by van, truck, tractor or with a small trailer. Gus can carry a 20kg plus load of asparagus, distributing its selected spears into two manageable crates. Realtime notifications allow the farmer to know when crates are to be collected and replaced.

Ready at the end of 2024

Company co-founder and CEO Robyn Sands added that a minimum viable product will be ready by the end of 2024, after which Gus will be ready for alpha trials. Sands added that Gus’ modularity makes it suitable for a range of agricultural and horticultural applications including daffodil harvesting and vineyard management.