Israeli Startup Builds Flexible Harvesting Robot Targeting 95% of Fruit per Tree

Picker AgRobotics, an Israeli startup, is developing a robotic fruit-picking system that uses a hollow, flexible arm to reach through branches and cut fruit from the stem. The fruit is then transferred directly into existing harvest bins, eliminating a separate collection step and reducing handling. The hollow design is meant to navigate dense branches without bruising fruit, and the direct-to-bin transfer avoids rehandling. The company says the system can integrate with existing harvest bins, potentially lowering adoption costs for growers.

Unlike conventional grasp-and-place robots, the system does not use grippers and does not retract its arm after picking each fruit. This continuous motion could improve speed and reduce damage, according to the company. Initial tests focused on avocados, but the platform is also aimed at oranges, lemons, pears, and apples.

According to Leaderobot, the system targets coverage of up to 95% of the fruit on a single tree. Customer pilot programs are scheduled to begin in January 2027. If successful, the approach could offer a scalable alternative for orchard harvesting amid persistent labor shortages.