Asparagus Harvesting Robot Matches Human Quality — While Working Up to 4× Faster

Field trials from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) and Dutch grower Teboza show that the AVL Compact S9000 asparagus harvesting robot can deliver the same marketable yield and quality as skilled human pickers, while operating three to four times faster under typical field conditions. In peak growth periods, researchers say performance could reach up to 10× faster, marking a significant milestone in automating high-value specialty crops.

Developed by AVL Motion, the system autonomously identifies, cuts, and collects asparagus spears with 12 coordinated harvesting modules capable of up to 9,000 harvest actions per hour. Using visual detection of spear tips and a pneumatically driven cutting and lifting mechanism, the robot selectively removes each spear and places it onto a conveyor for collection — replicating the harvest motion typically done by hand.

WUR researchers found no significant difference between robot-harvested and manually harvested asparagus in key quality measures such as spear length, straightness, and tip condition. While some shifts were observed in grading categories, overall marketable yield remained comparable, with the robot occasionally capturing spears humans miss.

Growers note the most meaningful advantage is consistency. The robot does not slow down over the course of the day, is not affected by weather interruptions, and can harvest continuously during peak production — a time when labor availability is often strained.

Teboza reports that when yields are high, one robot can replace six to seven manual harvesters, though effectiveness varies with field layout, row length, spear density, and operator planning. Longer and straighter rows provide the highest efficiency, while tighter or irregular fields reduce speed.

The trials suggest a clear direction:
Selective harvesting of specialty crops, once considered too delicate or variable for automation, is now technically and commercially viable.