The California Citrus Research Board (CRB) has signed a $900,000 funding agreement with Israeli AgTech startup Nanovel to bring an AI-powered prototype citrus harvester to the Central Valley for field trials.

Set to begin testing in Spring 2025 in collaboration with local citrus growers, the harvester aims to improve product quality and help address labor shortages without replacing human workers.

CRB President Marcy Martin emphasized that the technology is designed to augment the labor force by assisting with hazardous tasks.

The prototype features a “multi-arm platform” equipped with suction cups and precision cutters for harvesting fruit, Mid-Valley Times has reported.

If successful, automated harvesters could be integrated into local orchards within a few years, enhancing sustainability and operational efficiency in California’s vital agricultural sector.

Written by B.C. Begley