Aisprid D01: A Deleafing Robot for Tomato Greenhouses
Aisprid D01 is a deleafing robot for tomato greenhouses that works around 20 hours a day, switches rows on its own and cuts at heights from 0.8 to 2 m.
Photo source:
Aisprid D01
Aisprid D01: A Deleafing Robot for Tomato Greenhouses
The
Aisprid D01 is a deleafing robot built for tomato greenhouses, where it removes
leaves from the plants autonomously. Aisprid, a company working in smart
farming with AI and high-precision robotics, developed it to address labor
shortages and the physical strain of this task. The robot handles work
performed at height or in high temperatures, which reduces repetitive movements
and injury risk for workers. Aisprid states that it can automate up to 80% of
deleafing tasks in many greenhouse operations.
How the Deleafing Robot Works
The robot
operates continuously and independently with minimal intervention, running
around 20 hours per 24 and seven days a week, including under artificial
lighting. It changes rows on its own and cuts close to the plant, which Aisprid
says limits disease propagation. Cutting height ranges from 0.8 to 2 m from the
rails and is adjustable per job. Computer vision, technology that lets machines
interpret images, and artificial intelligence guide the work, and the robot can
detect metal clips and adapt.
Battery, Software and Updates
A lithium
battery provides up to 20 hours of autonomy and recharges in under 2.5 hours.
Mobile connectivity allows remote monitoring of activity, progress and status,
and the management app supports real-time monitoring of robot performance and
remote supervision of the fleet. The robot receives regular updates to improve
performance, through remote software updates and on-site hardware upgrades.
Greenhouse Requirements
The robot
suits cluster tomato varieties with semi-upright growth, low leaf density and
internodes, the stem sections between leaves, of about 5 to 8 cm. String-based
plant training is preferred, and metal clips should sit at truss level, the
fruit cluster, rather than leaf level. Rails must be securely fixed, with
lateral movement of no more than 2 cm, and concrete aisle width should exceed
2.4 m.
Deployment and Support
More than
50 robots are in daily use, mainly with cooperatives and growers in France,
Belgium and the Netherlands, following six years of research and field trials.
Aisprid says the robot integrates into existing greenhouse setups. Onsite
training is provided at launch, and technician support that complies with
biosecurity requirements is available on site. Greenhouse demonstrations are
held in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
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