Automated pollination of kiwifruit flowers

This paper contains the initial evaluation of a novel platform mounted robotic pollination system. Advancement in artificial pollination is an important step forward in agricultural sectors due to the global decline of natural pollinators. Robotic pollination allows for potentially autonomous, precision operation; however, background research suggests prior development in the area is sparse. The featured wet-application robotic pollination system can detect 89.3% of flowers, correctly localise 71.9% of flowers and hit an estimated 80.1% whilst driving at a 0.36 m/s through kiwifruit orchard rows.