The project aims to realise a robot for the harvesting of hazelnuts, using a machine that works autonomously without any operator on board. It's a highly innovative technology, if compared to current techniques of harvesting: manual (not competitive in a market economy) or by traditional mechanical means (with serious problems of dust, noise, chemicals, vibration, climate and mechanical hazards). The automated solution will ensure a total elimination of risks and will allow important economic returns, by increasing the product quality mainly due to the promptness of the harvesting. The expected product consists of a robot which operates in total autonomy, moving between plants and storing the nuts in special containers; the robot will be integrated with systems for traceability and planning the harvesting work. World hazelnuts production exceeds 900.000 t, with a turnover of around USD 2 billion, so the commercial potential of innovation affects all the world and represents a technological solution currently non-existent. This robot will enable the Monchiero company to recover large market share over the Americans competitors, with an increase of competitiveness of EU's industry. The potential users are the hazelnuts producers, which need to improve the harvesting process and the operators' working conditions, in addition to solving the problem of finding skilled labor. Coryl Robot will meet all of these needs, will provide the total traceability of the final product and will use renewable energy sources towards a low carbon economy. In Phase 1 a detailed feasibility study will be carried out related to technical and economic challenges associated with the implementation of innovation (market analysis, cost-benefit analysis for machinery manufacturers and for hazelnuts producers). In Phase 2 the project intends to accomplish and test a Coryl Robot prototype, in order to evaluate different technological solutions, involving a research institution and some end users.
Innovative robot for automatic and autonomous harvest of hazelnuts (Coryl Robot Project Phase 1)
Danilo Rabino
2015
Abstract
The project aims to realise a robot for the harvesting of hazelnuts, using a machine that works autonomously without any operator on board. It's a highly innovative technology, if compared to current techniques of harvesting: manual (not competitive in a market economy) or by traditional mechanical means (with serious problems of dust, noise, chemicals, vibration, climate and mechanical hazards). The automated solution will ensure a total elimination of risks and will allow important economic returns, by increasing the product quality mainly due to the promptness of the harvesting. The expected product consists of a robot which operates in total autonomy, moving between plants and storing the nuts in special containers; the robot will be integrated with systems for traceability and planning the harvesting work. World hazelnuts production exceeds 900.000 t, with a turnover of around USD 2 billion, so the commercial potential of innovation affects all the world and represents a technological solution currently non-existent. This robot will enable the Monchiero company to recover large market share over the Americans competitors, with an increase of competitiveness of EU's industry. The potential users are the hazelnuts producers, which need to improve the harvesting process and the operators' working conditions, in addition to solving the problem of finding skilled labor. Coryl Robot will meet all of these needs, will provide the total traceability of the final product and will use renewable energy sources towards a low carbon economy. In Phase 1 a detailed feasibility study will be carried out related to technical and economic challenges associated with the implementation of innovation (market analysis, cost-benefit analysis for machinery manufacturers and for hazelnuts producers). In Phase 2 the project intends to accomplish and test a Coryl Robot prototype, in order to evaluate different technological solutions, involving a research institution and some end users.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
