The robots are coming ― to pick Northwest apples

In the orchards of Central Washington, a new kind of technology is revolutionizing the fruit tree industry. One of the robots being tested is 14 feet tall and has six mechanical arms with suction cups at the end for gently removing apples with minimal damage. On-board stereo cameras act as the robot’s eyes, ensuring that it chooses only the ripest, healthiest apples.

Orchardist Kent Karstetter is a firm believer that technology has an important role to play in the progress of farming, and sees robots as a necessary part of the future.

“This robot can work 24 hours a day,” he said. “That can help us get the job done.”

The agricultural industry is feeling the strain of labor shortages due to stricter policies limiting the number of migrant workers, rising labor costs, and fewer young people pursuing careers in farming. To combat this problem, many commercial farmers are turning to robots.

“The younger generation doesn’t aspire to be an apple picker,” Karstetter said. “Right now … we’re treading water, trying to figure out how we can keep enough employees to get our crops picked until this technology evolves.”

Washington produces a lot of crops, but none more than apples. In fact, the state harvests nearly 12 billion apples yearly — more than any other state in the country.