Term 251

JANA: The Semi-Autonomous Date-Harvesting Robot

Project Type: Self-Initiated

Project Description

Traditional date harvesting in Saudi Arabia requires workers to climb palm trees up to 15 meters tall using primitive tools, a method that is dangerous, slow, and labor-intensive. This approach leads to frequent injuries, high labor costs, and inconsistent productivity. As a result, there is a pressing need for a safer, more efficient, and technologically advanced solution to meet the rising demand while reducing human risk and improving fruit quality. Our solution is a semi-autonomous ground robot designed to conform to the palm tree using a U-shaped net structure, detects date bunches with a depth camera and computer-vision pipeline, and performs the cutting process autonomously through a 5-DOF end-effector. By integrating vision-based detection, mechanical lifting, and robust control, the system improves safety, reduces human effort, and provides a reliable, low-cost alternative to manual harvesting.

Poster not available