Fieldwork Robotics has launched a 24-month research and development programme in partnership with the Research Centre for Sustainability, a consortium that includes Lusomorango, INIAV, Driscoll’s, and Maravilha Farms.
The trials will take place on farms in the Lusomorango producers’ organisation near São Teotónio, Portugal, focusing on raspberry harvesting with Fieldwork’s robot.
Lusomorango, founded in 2005, brings together leading growers such as Maravilha Farms and Haygrove, supplying fruit for the Driscoll’s brand.
Robot’s capabilities and innovation goals
The programme aims to demonstrate the robot’s capabilities in harvesting Driscoll’s Reyna and Maravilla raspberry varieties.
Fieldwork and the Research Centre will design polytunnel lanes to maximise robotic efficiency, improve fruit quality scores, and test night harvesting to extend operational capacity.
AI features will also be trialled to enhance the robot’s precision and productivity.
Data modelling and sector benefits
Data from the trials will be used to model the economic benefits of the technology for growers, particularly in improving quality scores and supporting yield forecasting.
This information is crucial for addressing persistent labour shortages in the berry sector, which have challenged growers’ ability to maintain production levels.
The partnership is therefore positioned as both a technological innovation and a practical response to workforce constraints.
Strategic perspectives and outcomes
Fieldwork’s CEO David Fulton highlighted the strategic importance of this programme in pushing forward raspberry harvesting innovation and demonstrating real-world benefits for growers.
Lusomorango’s CEO Joel Vasconcelos added that the project will generate valuable knowledge to strengthen producer competitiveness and create a more resilient agricultural sector, both nationally and globally.
Text and image source: www.fruitnet.com
