Automatic Rispingsrobot by Denso Corporation

Automatic Rispingsrobot by Denso Corporation is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2024 A' Design Award yn Platina in Robotika, Automaat en Automatisearring Ûntwerp Competition Category.

PlatinaRobotika· 2024

Automatic Rispingsrobot

by Denso Corporation

Client: Denso Corporation

A' Design Award yn Platina Winner in Robotika Category

1,751,980

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #145369

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Automatic Rispingsrobot

Automatic is in rispingsrobot makke foar grutskalige túnboufasiliteiten. Automatic beweecht him lâns rails dy't yn 'e kas útlein binne en brûkt kamera's en sensoaren om te beoardieljen hokker sjerrytomaten ryp binne. In útskowbere earm snijt hiele trossen ôf en pleatst dy yn in meisleepte kiste. It wurk kin nachts trochgean, wat it tekoart oan arbeidskrêften yn drokke rispingsperioaden ferlichtet. Rûne flakken en in pearelmoerachtige ôfwurking meitsje it uterlik sêfter, en yndikatoareagen dy't út elke hoeke sichtber binne, litte de rydrjochting sjen. Obstakels wurde detektearre, sadat de masine feilich stoppet.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Platina

Automatic Rispingsrobot is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Platina, in ekstreem prestisjeuze erkenning foar wier útsûnderlike, elegante en prachtige ûntwerpen. Platina-winners binne wûnders fan skepping, tsjûgenissen fan de grinzen fan yntellektuele kreativiteit, en litte it ûnevenaardige profesjonalisme en sjeny fan har ûntwerpers sjen. Fan dizze ûntwerpen wurdt ferwachte dat se de meast ferneamde wurken binne dy't de estetyk fan in tiidrek bepale, bydrage oan it wolwêzen fan de maatskippij en de grinzen fan keunst, wittenskip, ûntwerp en technology ferlegge. Automatic Rispingsrobot lit in transsendint nivo fan treflikens sjen en makket de wrâld sûnder mis ta in bettere plak mei syn foardielige en weardefolle skaaimerken. Automatic Rispingsrobot is in winnend wurk fan de A' Design Award yn Platina dat winsken wekker makket, ynspirearret, entûsjasmearret, behaachet en grutte freugde opwekket.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: With a declining number of farmers worldwide, time-consuming harvesting is one area to save manpower. That is why we designed this robot to offer peace of mind when interacting with it. It features eyes that can be seen from any angle, indicating its travel direction and giving it a friendly image while its rounded top surface and pearlescent finish make it unintimidating. Its system allows it to detect obstacles and stop safely, and its top surface is free of bumps where dirt can accumulate.
Dimensions & Packaging: 1230mm×1320mm×930mm
(not including cutters, cables)
Chassis weight 300 kg
Tags: automated harvesting, robot, AgriD, cherry tomato, horticulture facility, DENSO, DENSO Design
Production Technology: A new level of harvesting technology has been reached via DENSO's unique image processing and robot hand technology.
1. A modular configuration was used for high versatility and to ensure cost reduction and a low barrier to entry.
2. For cleanliness, the top surface has as few recesses for water or dirt to collect as possible and cables are not exposed.
3. To ensure people can work safely with the robot, it features status indicator lights and has a system to detect obstacles and stop safely.
Design Challenge: In its early development the robot was angular in shape due to its internal mechanisms and complicated wiring. This combined with its large body size gave it less-than-friendly impression. To create one, we began with the internals, trying to devise a frame layout to achieve a rounded shape while maintaining functionality, and to configure the parts to reduce volume. Also, to facilitate human-robot communication, we designed indicator lights to be visible, so that they would meet peoples' eyes.
Research: Denso's goal is to integrate the entire greenhouse process into a system allowing people to do the work best suited to them, while machines do the work best suited to machines, providing local farmers with a lively workplace.
The system uses cameras and AI technology to detect bunches, judge ripeness and automatically harvest.
Replacing some of the work done by people with machines during peak harvest times reduces the burden on workers so they can work efficiently and not overtax themselves.
Inspiration: The world population is set to exceed 10 billion by 2050, bringing an increased demand for food. Food shortages will likely intensify in places with growing populations like Asia and Africa, as some areas are not suitable for agriculture. Japan and other developed countries are facing problems like fewer agricultural workers due to an aging and declining population and widespread food waste. By solving these, DENSO's goal is to reform the entire food value chain toward a sustainable society.
Project Duration: Design development fully underway in March, 2019.
News released in March, 2020.
Demonstration unit begins operation at AgriD in Inabe City, Mie Prefecture, Japan
Operation Flow: This robot harvests cherry tomatoes for large-scale horticultural facilities. It moves automatically along rails laid out in a path on the farm and uses cameras and sensors to which cherry tomatoes are ripe for harvesting. The robot's arm can extend and cut off an entire bunch of tomatoes, which is then placed in a box pulled by the robot. It can even work at night when no one is around, contributing to labor savings, addressing labor shortages, and increasing harvest volume.
Team Members: Producer:
Hideyuki Nishino, Food Value Chain Business Development Division
Go Handa, Production Eng. Division
Director:
Takaomi Hasegawa, Food Value Chain Business Development Division
Tomoki Ikoma, Design Division
Yuji Kawahara, Mobility Electronics R&D Division
Designer:
Seisho Inada, Food Value Chain Business Development Division
Hiromu Arihara, Production Eng. Division
Yuko Kanda, Jihye Kim, Design Division
Image Credits: Image #1:Designer Yuko Kanda, 2020, Design Division, DENSO CORPORATION / Image #2-#5:2020,Public Relations Division, DENSO CORPORATION