The AvL Motion Compact S9000 represents a significant advancement in agricultural robotics, specifically engineered to revolutionize the harvesting of white asparagus. Developed by AvL Motion, a company renowned for its innovative mechanization solutions, this autonomous robot addresses the persistent challenges of labor shortages and the demanding nature of manual asparagus harvesting. It embodies the future of farming by combining high efficiency with precision, offering growers a robust solution for optimizing their operations.
Designed for seamless integration into existing farming landscapes, the Compact S9000 operates with remarkable autonomy, requiring only a single operator for supervision. Its sophisticated technology ensures that each asparagus spear is harvested selectively and gently, preserving crop quality and promoting plant health. This not only enhances yield but also contributes to more sustainable and economically viable agricultural practices.
Key Features
The AvL Motion Compact S9000 is distinguished by its ability to perform autonomous and selective harvesting of white asparagus. This precision is achieved through advanced optical RGB/AI detection, which accurately identifies mature spears, complemented by an innovative underground detection system. This dual detection capability allows for harvesting every three days, significantly reducing the frequency of field passes and improving overall operational efficiency compared to traditional daily harvesting.
At the core of its efficiency is a high harvesting capacity, capable of processing up to 9,000 asparagus stalks per hour. This impressive speed is facilitated by an advanced gondola system that continuously rotates 12 harvesting modules, maximizing output with minimal human intervention. The entire operation is fully electric, a commitment to sustainability that eliminates emissions and the need for complex, maintenance-prone hydraulic systems, simplifying upkeep and reducing environmental impact.
The robot's compact design and lightweight structure, weighing under 4,500 kg, combined with its track-based movement, are crucial for preventing soil compaction. This feature is vital for maintaining soil health and ensuring the long-term productivity of asparagus beds. Furthermore, the modular construction of the Compact S9000 not only facilitates easy maintenance and repairs but also offers the flexibility for potential adaptation to other agricultural tasks, extending its utility beyond asparagus harvesting.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Autonomous, selective asparagus harvesting robot |
| Operation | Single person via remote control |
| Harvesting Modules | 12 |
| Detection | Optical RGB/AI detection, underground detection |
| Power Source | Fully electric operation |
| Harvesting Capacity | Up to 9,000 asparagus stalks per hour |
| Weight | Under 4,500 kg |
| Design | Compact with tracks |
| Soil Impact | Prevents soil compaction |
| Field Compatibility | Can be used in existing fields (large or small) |
| Field Capacity | Total capacity of 15 hectares, harvesting 5 hectares per day (every three days) |
| Labor Reduction | Approximately 80% |
| Max Speed | 3.6 km/h (1 meter/second) |
| Turning Radius | 4.5 meters |
| Dimensions | Length 6m, width 2.36m, height 3m |
Use Cases & Applications
Farmers can leverage the AvL Motion Compact S9000 in several critical ways to enhance their operations:
- Efficient and Autonomous Harvesting of White Asparagus: The primary use case involves the precise and automated harvesting of white asparagus, ensuring optimal spear quality and minimizing damage to the crop and soil. This is particularly beneficial for large-scale growers seeking consistent output.
- Addressing Labor Shortages: With a significant reduction in labor requirements (approximately 80%), the robot provides a crucial solution for growers struggling to find and retain a reliable workforce for the labor-intensive asparagus harvest.
- Reducing Heavy Manual Labor: It eliminates the strenuous, repetitive manual labor associated with asparagus harvesting, improving working conditions and potentially attracting a new generation of agricultural workers.
- Optimizing Yield and Crop Health: By precisely detecting and gently harvesting only mature spears, the robot maximizes yield and minimizes disturbance to the asparagus plant, promoting healthier beds and better future harvests. The underground detection system also allows for less frequent field passes, further benefiting soil structure.
- Versatility Across Field Sizes: The machine's compact design and ability to operate in existing fields make it suitable for a wide range of farm sizes, from smaller established plots to larger commercial operations.
Strengths & Weaknesses
| Strengths ✅ | Weaknesses ⚠️ |
|---|---|
| High harvesting capacity of up to 9,000 stalks per hour, significantly boosting productivity. | Price information is not publicly available, implying a potentially high initial investment for growers. |
| Reduces labor requirements by approximately 80%, solving critical workforce challenges. | Designed specifically for white asparagus, limiting its application to other crop types. |
| Autonomous and selective harvesting ensures optimal quality and minimizes damage to crops and beds. | Requires a single operator for supervision and collection, not a fully labor-free solution. |
| Fully electric operation contributes to sustainable farming and eliminates maintenance-intensive hydraulic systems. | Advanced technology may require specialized technical support or training for optimal operation and troubleshooting. |
| Compact (under 4,500 kg) design with tracks prevents soil compaction, maintaining soil health. | Operational availability currently limited to specific European countries (Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg). |
| Underground detection allows harvesting every three days, reducing field passes and increasing efficiency. |
Benefits for Farmers
The AvL Motion Compact S9000 delivers substantial business value to asparagus growers. It offers significant time savings by enabling less frequent field passes due to its underground detection system and by executing harvesting tasks at a high speed of up to 9,000 stalks per hour. This efficiency directly translates into cost reduction, primarily by addressing the critical labor shortage and reducing personnel expenses by approximately 80%.
Furthermore, the robot's precise, selective harvesting capability leads to yield improvement by minimizing damage to the asparagus plants and ensuring only mature spears are collected, thereby maximizing marketable produce. Its gentle operation and prevention of soil compaction contribute to sustainability, fostering healthier soil and reducing the environmental footprint of farming operations. Overall, these benefits aim to improve the profit margins for growers, making their operations more resilient and productive.
Integration & Compatibility
The AvL Motion Compact S9000 is engineered for practical integration into existing farm operations. Its design allows it to be deployed directly into established asparagus fields, whether large or small, without requiring extensive modifications to the field infrastructure. The machine's compact size and track system are specifically designed to navigate existing beds and minimize soil impact. While primarily an autonomous harvesting unit, its modular design suggests a degree of adaptability, potentially allowing for future integration with other farm management systems or tools for data exchange, especially concerning yield data and operational metrics. The robot's electric driveline also simplifies energy management within a modern farm's infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How does this product work? | The AvL Motion Compact S9000 autonomously navigates asparagus beds, using optical RGB/AI and underground detection to precisely locate mature white asparagus spears. Its advanced gondola system with 12 harvesting modules then selectively harvests up to 9,000 stalks per hour, guided by a single operator via remote control. |
| What is the typical ROI? | The robot significantly reduces labor costs by approximately 80%, addressing critical shortages and improving operational efficiency. While the cost per kilo is comparable to manual harvesting, the substantial reduction in personnel organization stress and the ability to optimize yields contribute to improved profit margins for growers. |
| What setup/installation is required? | The AvL Motion Compact S9000 features a modular design and is engineered for immediate deployment in existing asparagus fields, regardless of their size. Its compact design and tracks ensure minimal impact on established bed structures. |
| What maintenance is needed? | The machine's fully electric operation eliminates maintenance-prone hydraulic systems. Its modular design allows for quick and easy repairs, and AvL Motion can remotely diagnose issues, ensuring efficient upkeep. |
| Is training required to use this? | Yes, while the robot operates autonomously, a single operator is required to direct the machine via remote control and collect the harvested asparagus. Training would focus on operating the remote control, monitoring the system, and basic field maintenance. |
| What systems does it integrate with? | The Compact S9000 is designed to operate seamlessly within existing field setups. Its modular nature suggests potential for future adaptations, and its data collection capabilities can integrate with farm management systems for yield optimization. |
| What is its operational range? | The robot has a total field capacity of 15 hectares, capable of harvesting 5 hectares per day. Thanks to its underground detection, harvesting can occur every three days, optimizing field passes. |
| What are its availability regions? | As of early 2023, the AvL Motion Compact S9000 was available in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Luxembourg. |
Pricing & Availability
The price range for the AvL Motion Compact S9000 is not publicly available. The overall cost-effectiveness is noted to be approximately the same per kilo as manual harvesting, with the added benefit of significantly reduced labor requirements. Factors influencing pricing may include specific configurations, regional availability, and any additional implements or services. To receive detailed information regarding pricing and availability, please contact us via the Make inquiry button on this page.
Support & Training
AvL Motion is committed to ensuring the successful adoption and operation of the Compact S9000. While the robot is designed for ease of use, comprehensive training is provided for the single operator required to oversee its functions, including remote control operation, system monitoring, and basic troubleshooting. The modular design of the machine facilitates straightforward service and maintenance, which can often be performed by the same operator. In cases of more complex issues, AvL Motion offers remote diagnostic capabilities, ensuring prompt and efficient support to minimize downtime and maximize field productivity.
