Naturipe Farms Challenges Developers To Create The Blueberry Harvester Of The Future
August 21, 2015 Naturipe Farms LLC., the global leader in growing and marketing blueberries, is challenging creative technology minds to innovate a better way to harvest blueberries. As consumer demand for blueberries is at a record high, Naturipe is offering $250,000 in prize incentives for new efficient solutions that can improve automated blueberry harvesting. Worldwide technology transfer consultancy yet2 is managing the challenge and submissions for Naturipe Farms.
Naturipe’s goal is to develop an automated harvesting system that can be used in blueberry fields and optimize the quality and condition of fresh blueberries destined for the fresh market. Blueberries continue to grow in popularity due to their nutritional benefits, versatility, and overall great flavor. Today only blueberries destined for processing are harvested by machines.
“The majority of the blueberries are picked by hand at the peak of maturity and flavor” said Robert Verloop, executive vice president of marketing at Naturipe. “However, the berries don’t ripen at the same time so we return to the same bush several times during the harvest season, which is both costly and a labor-intensive process. There has been tremendous growth and interest in agricultural technology, robotics and sensory equipment to improve harvesting efficiencies, to manage costs and to reduce food waste. We hope the ‘Naturipe Blue Challenge’ will help solve some of our on-the-farm challenges.”
In addition to the $250,000 prize, the winner(s) will have the opportunity to establish a strategic partnership with Naturipe to produce and distribute the winning next generation in automated blueberry harvesting technologies worldwide.
Main proposed operating specifications include: size/color sensing to detect fruit maturity, careful handing to avoid any damage to the fruit, ability to directly fill field trays/baskets, 24/7 harvesting capability, average production of 1,100 pounds per day, mobility capabilities on uneven ground or dusty conditions, and fabrication costs per unit less than $500,000.
Initial proposal submission deadline is Sept. 30 at NaturipeChallenge.com. All proposals submitted in September will receive thorough feedback from yet2 by Oct 16 to be incorporated into the final proposal submission, which is due Oct. 30. Semifinalists will be selected on Dec. 16.
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