- English
GreenTech Amsterdam has an important premiere with the introduction of the GRoW tomato harvesting robot by Ridder and MetoMotion. This revolutionary and multifunctional tomato harvesting robot with two arms, will be shown to the world for the first time at the exhibition. GRoW was developed to reduce picking costs, increase picking quality and to reduce dependence on available labour.
Pick and collect
In an aging world where the labour shortage is becoming more acute, it is essential to keep up with technology, like vision technology, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. MetoMotion founder and CEO Adi Nir: “The speed of these developments make it possible to make a significant contribution to horticulture in the short term with robotics. This is how the idea was born of a tomato harvesting robot that automates the handling of vine tomatoes in addition to harvesting. Gradually, we concluded that GRoW should be equipped with two arms, so that it can pick and collect even faster. By doing so, a grower can save minimal 80% on his harvesting labour hours, while ensuring the continuity of the harvest. In addition to picking tomatoes, GRoW’s onboard boxing system puts the tomatoes in crates and places them on the corresponding harvesting carts”.
Collaboration
“It is a unique collaboration where the technological knowledge of robotics start-up MetoMotion and the experience and service network of Ridder, as a global leader in horticultural technology, reinforce each other,” says Joep van den Bosch, CIO at Ridder. “MetoMotion will focus on the development and production of the and Ridder will take care of the marketing, sales and service of the GRoW. Two years after our first investments, we are proud to be able to present the GRoW tomato harvesting robot at GreenTech, an important moment for the horticultural sector”.
Live in action at GreenTech
Those who would like to see the GRoW live and in action and learn more about how the robot can ensure the harvest of vine tomatoes, are welcome at the Ridder stand (01.40) and at the Robot Arena (Robotics/AI Pavillion) during GreenTech Amsterdam in the RAI from June 14 to 16. Also be sure to check out www.ridder.com/grow
