The HV-100 by Harvest Automation represents a significant advancement in agricultural robotics, offering a practical and scalable solution for automating labor-intensive tasks in nurseries and small farm areas. This compact and highly efficient robot is specifically engineered to thrive in the often-unstructured environments found in commercial growing operations, including greenhouses and hoop houses. By providing the ability to work round the clock and efficiently adjust plant pot arrangements, the HV-100 directly addresses critical challenges such as labor scarcity and the need for enhanced operational efficiency.
As a material handling assistant robot, the HV-100 excels at automating the movement and organization of plant containers. Its design focuses on maximizing productivity while minimizing the need for extensive human intervention. This innovative technology allows growers to optimize their resource management, implement just-in-time production strategies, and maintain precise inventory control, ultimately contributing to more profitable and sustainable farming practices.
Key Features
One of the standout capabilities of the HV-100 is its autonomous navigation system, which allows it to operate effectively in the dynamic and often unpredictable outdoor environments of nurseries and greenhouses. This intelligent mobility is underpinned by behavior-based robotics programming, enabling the robot to be highly responsive to its surroundings without requiring complex pre-mapping or extensive infrastructure modifications.
Safety is a paramount consideration in the HV-100's design. It is equipped with advanced failsafe algorithms that allow it to detect and maneuver around unidentified objects or stop when necessary, ensuring a safe working environment for human laborers. Its diminutive size further contributes to this safety, making it less intrusive and easier to integrate into existing workflows.
The robot's efficiency is demonstrated by its impressive peak throughput of 240 pots per hour or 200 moves per hour, making it a powerful tool for tasks such as plant spacing, consolidation, and collection. This capability, combined with its ability to work continuously, significantly reduces the manual effort and time required for these repetitive tasks, freeing up human staff for more skilled activities. Furthermore, the HV-100 is versatile in handling common container sizes, accommodating diameters from 5 to 12.5 inches and heights from 5.75 to 15 inches, which makes it suitable for a wide range of potted plants and crops.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (Width) | 610 mm |
| Dimensions (Height) | 533 mm |
| Weight | 100 lbs |
| Max Load Capacity | 22 lbs (10 kg) |
| Battery Run Time | 4-6 hours |
| Peak Throughput | 240 pots/hour or 200 moves/hour |
| Container Diameter Range | 5 to 12.5 inches |
| Container Height Range | 5.75 to 15 inches |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi and Ethernet |
| Compliance | FCC Class A and CE compliant |
| Movement Type | Wheeled robot |
| Function | Material handling assistant robot |
Use Cases & Applications
The HV-100 is a versatile tool with several key applications in modern agriculture, particularly in horticulture:
- Material Handling and Container Movement: The primary use case involves the efficient movement of plant containers within nurseries, greenhouses, and hoop houses, optimizing layout and space utilization.
- Plant Spacing and Consolidation: Farmers utilize the HV-100 to precisely space out plants as they grow or consolidate them for shipping, ensuring optimal growth conditions and streamlined logistics.
- Collection of Plants: The robot can be deployed to collect plants from designated areas, preparing them for further processing, packaging, or direct sale, thereby automating a labor-intensive step in the production cycle.
- Inventory Control and Resource Management: By accurately managing the location and spacing of plants, the HV-100 contributes to improved inventory control and more effective resource allocation, supporting just-in-time production strategies.
- Automating Repetitive Tasks: It is ideal for automating the strenuous and repetitive tasks associated with moving pots, reducing the physical burden on human workers and allowing them to focus on more complex or delicate operations.
Strengths & Weaknesses
| Strengths ✅ | Weaknesses ⚠️ |
|---|---|
| High efficiency with peak throughput of 240 pots/hour, enhancing productivity. | Battery run time of 4-6 hours necessitates regular recharging or battery swapping for continuous operation. |
| Capable of working round the clock, significantly increasing operational hours and output. | Max load capacity of 22 lbs (10 kg) limits its use to smaller to medium-sized containers and plants. |
| Reduces direct labor costs and addresses labor scarcity in agricultural operations. | Initial purchase price of $30,000 per robot represents a significant upfront investment. |
| Works safely alongside human laborers with minimal training required, improving workplace safety. | While designed for unstructured environments, extreme terrain or obstacles beyond its navigation capabilities could pose challenges. |
| Autonomous navigation in unstructured outdoor environments, offering flexibility in deployment. | Connectivity relies on Wi-Fi and Ethernet, potentially requiring robust network infrastructure in large facilities. |
| Handles common container sizes (5-12.5 inches diameter), making it versatile for various crops. |
Benefits for Farmers
The HV-100 delivers substantial benefits for agricultural producers. Primarily, it offers a direct solution to the ongoing challenge of labor scarcity by automating highly repetitive and physically demanding tasks, thereby reducing reliance on manual labor and associated costs. This automation leads to significant improvements in productivity and overall operational efficiency, allowing nurseries and farms to manage their resources more effectively and achieve higher throughput. The robot's ability to work continuously, day and night, ensures that tasks are completed promptly, contributing to just-in-time production and better inventory control. Ultimately, the HV-100 is a smart, practical, and sustainable robotic platform that enhances profitability and allows growers to scale their operations more effectively.
Integration & Compatibility
The HV-100 is designed for seamless integration into existing commercial growing operations without requiring extensive modifications to infrastructure. Its autonomous navigation capabilities allow it to operate effectively in the varied and often unstructured environments of greenhouses, hoop houses, and outdoor nurseries. The robot's behavior-based programming enables it to adapt to its surroundings and work safely alongside human staff, functioning as an assistive tool rather than a replacement for all human tasks. Its wheeled movement type and Wi-Fi/Ethernet connectivity facilitate its operation within typical farm network setups, ensuring it can be monitored and managed remotely.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How does this product work? | The HV-100 is a wheeled, behavior-based robotics system designed for material handling. It autonomously navigates unstructured environments to move and adjust plant containers, optimizing spacing, consolidation, and collection tasks. |
| What is the typical ROI? | By automating repetitive tasks like pot spacing and consolidation, the HV-100 significantly reduces direct labor costs and improves overall operational efficiency, leading to a rapid return on investment through enhanced productivity and resource management. |
| What setup/installation is required? | The robot is designed for minimal setup, operating autonomously in commercial growing environments. Its behavior-based programming allows it to adapt to its surroundings without extensive pre-mapping or complex infrastructure. |
| What maintenance is needed? | Routine maintenance typically involves battery charging, cleaning of sensors, and periodic checks of mechanical components to ensure optimal performance. Its robust design minimizes frequent servicing requirements. |
| Is training required to use this? | The HV-100 requires minimal training for human laborers to work safely alongside it. Its intuitive operation and failsafe algorithms ensure ease of adoption within existing farm teams. |
| What systems does it integrate with? | The HV-100 is designed to operate seamlessly within existing nursery and greenhouse layouts. Its autonomous nature means it integrates as a flexible, mobile workforce rather than requiring complex system-level integrations. |
Pricing & Availability
Indicative price for a single HV-100 robot is $30,000 USD. Harvest Automation also offers team-based pricing, with a team of four robots available for purchase at $130,000 USD. For those preferring a flexible operational expenditure model, a Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) option is available, with a rental fee for four robots at $5,000 USD per month, or a three-month rental for a team of four robots at $30,000 USD. For specific configurations, availability, or to discuss your operational needs, please contact us via the Make inquiry button on this page.
Support & Training
Harvest Automation is committed to ensuring successful deployment and operation of the HV-100. The robot is designed for ease of use, requiring minimal training for human laborers to work alongside it safely and effectively. Comprehensive documentation and support resources are typically provided to help users maximize the robot's potential and maintain its performance. Ongoing support ensures that any operational queries or technical needs are addressed promptly, allowing for continuous, uninterrupted productivity.
