Arrow: L

BERRI – BluebErry haRvesting Robot Investigation

An Enterprise Ireland Proof of Concept Proposal

Project Objective

To investigate and establish the foundational design of advanced sensing and grasping systems for the robotic automation of fresh-market blueberry harvesting. This project will de-risk the core technology by developing and validating a novel soft robotic gripper and AI-driven control system, paving the way for a commercially viable solution to the critical labour shortage in Irish horticulture.


Work Packages

WP1: Management & Review

  • Establish project management framework.
  • Conduct literature & state-of-the-art analysis.
  • Perform time-and-motion analysis of manual picking.

WP2: System Design & Development

  • Define functional requirements & architecture.
  • Fabricate and test multiple soft gripper prototypes.
  • Benchmark prototypes to select optimal design.

WP3: Sensing, Control & Integration

  • Integrate vision/tactile sensors with gripper.
  • Develop AI/ML models for ripeness & control.
  • Create a basic Human-Robot Interface (HRI).

WP4: Testing & Validation

  • Assemble full-system laboratory prototype.
  • Evaluate performance against key metrics.
  • Collect and analyze stakeholder feedback.

WP5: Reporting & Dissemination

  • Formulate final design recommendations.
  • Prepare research publications & final project report.

2. The Lean Canvas

Problem
Growers: Escalating labour costs and critical worker shortages threaten harvest viability. Plant damage from crews and harsh mechanical methods reduces future season yields. Berry damage from inconsistent manual picking lowers pack-out rates.
Farm Managers: Difficulty training and supervising large, temporary crews to maintain consistent quality. High cognitive load managing logistics, quality control, and workers during the critical harvest window.
Solution

An Electro-Adhesive Soft Gripper attachable to standard robot arms (e.g., UR5e) with:

  • Selective multi-grip (bunch or single) capability.
  • Ultra-low power actuation, reducing energy costs.
  • Engineered for a cycle time competitive with skilled human pickers.
  • Automatic ripeness detection via 3D point cloud localization.
Unique Value Proposition
A selective, gentle robotic gripper that precisely picks only ripe blueberries, maximizing your high-quality yield and protecting the long-term health of your plants.
Automated, data-driven quality control that provides consistent picking and frees up managers to focus on higher-value logistical tasks.
Unfair Advantage
  • Proprietary IP: Novel, patent-pending soft gripper design and control algorithms.
  • Expert Team: World-class, multi-disciplinary R&D team from [Your Institution].
  • Compounding Data Moat: Proprietary, annotated image dataset of Irish blueberry cultivars that improves with each harvest.
Customer Segments
Commercial Blueberry Growers (Economic Buyer)
Farm Operations Managers (User / Influencer)
Key Metrics
  • Plant Health Impact (minimal cane/bud damage).
  • Marketable Fruit Quality (low berry damage & high pack-out rate).
  • Ripeness Selection Accuracy (% of correctly identified ripe berries).
  • System Uptime & Reliability in field conditions.
Channels
  • Direct Sales & Industry Networks (Teagasc, IFA).
  • On-Farm Demonstrations & Pilot Programs.
  • Agri-Tech Trade Shows.
  • Leverage academic publications to build technical credibility.
Cost Structure

Focus of this Proof of Concept is on technical de-risking and market validation. Key costs include R&D salaries, prototyping materials, and consumables.

Revenue Streams
  • Initial: Grant Funding (Enterprise Ireland PoC).
  • Phase 1 (Post-PoC): Direct product sales of the "BERRI Gripper" to growers and system integrators.
  • Phase 2 (Future): Explore recurring revenue models like Gripper-as-a-Service or a full Robot-as-a-Service.

3. The Business Model Canvas

Key Partners
  • Research & IP: [Your Institution] TTO
  • Technical Advisors: Teagasc (Agronomy)
  • Industry Validation: Early adopter Irish growers, IFA, Bord Bia
  • Future Supply Chain: Component suppliers, contract manufacturers
Key Activities
  • R&D (Gripper, Vision, AI)
  • System Integration & Prototyping
  • Field Testing & Data Collection
  • IP Management
  • Customer Discovery & Validation
Key Resources
  • IP: Patents, Software, Datasets
  • Human: Expert R&D Team
  • Physical: University Labs
  • Financial: Grant Funding
Value Propositions
Growers: A tangible asset that reduces costs, de-risks the harvest, and increases marketable yield.
Farm Managers: A tool to achieve consistent quality, reduce supervision, and automate a difficult task.
Customer Relationships
  • Direct, collaborative partnerships with early adopters for co-development.
  • Dedicated technical support during pilot programs.
  • Building a reputation as a trusted technical expert.
Customer Segments
Commercial Blueberry Growers (Economic Buyer)
Farm Managers (User)
Channels
  • Direct Engagement & On-Farm Demonstrations
  • Industry Networks & Grower Associations
  • Agri-Tech Trade Shows
Cost Structure
  • R&D Personnel: Salaries & stipends
  • Prototyping: Materials, components, 3D printing
  • Overheads: University facilities, administrative
  • IP Protection: Patent filing fees
Revenue Streams
Post-PoC Commercialisation Plan:
  1. Direct sales of the BERRI Gripper (Product).
  2. Licensing of IP to equipment manufacturers.
  3. Future exploration of service-based models (RaaS).

4. The Value Proposition Canvas

Value Proposition
GAIN CREATORS
  • Automated, data-driven quality control provides picking consistency.
  • Frees up farm managers to focus on higher-value logistical tasks.
  • Protects long-term plant health for future season yields.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES

An Electro-Adhesive Soft Gripper attachable to standard robot arms, featuring selective multi-grip, low-power operation, and integrated 3D vision for ripeness detection.

PAIN RELIEVERS
  • Reduces reliance on scarce and costly manual labour.
  • Minimizes berry damage and plant damage compared to manual or mechanical methods.
  • Eliminates inconsistent picking of unripe/missed berries.
  • Reduces need for intensive crew supervision.
Customer Profile
GAINS
  • Increased marketable yield and pack-out rates.
  • Improved long-term profitability and farm viability.
  • Reduced operational stress and management overhead.
CUSTOMER JOB(S)

To conduct an efficient and profitable blueberry harvest by managing labour, optimizing yield, ensuring fruit quality, and controlling operational costs.

PAINS
  • Threat of revenue loss from labour shortages.
  • Eroding profit margins due to escalating labour costs.
  • Yield loss from plant damage by crews or machines.
  • Inconsistent quality and fruit loss from poor picking.