System And Method For Autonomous Harvester Installation And Farm Harvesting Operation

Abstract

The present invention provides an autonomous harvesting system designed to be mounted onto a standard collection bin/wagon for autonomously harvesting and filing the bin.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is in the technical field of agriculture technology, specifically autonomous harvesting, more particularly, the present invention relates to harvesting-devices, systems and methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to harvesting devices for orchards, plantations green houses and field, such as apple-, pear-, apricot-, peach-, orange-, small-citrus fruit-, and lemon-trees, avocado, vines, tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, and peppers.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Conventional orchards harvesting is done by deployment of fruit collection bins between the tree lines, before manual workers arrive to pick the fruit and fill the bins. The bins are evenly spread throughout the orchard prior to harvesting. In most cases, the bin is placed on the ground and carried by a forklift. Alternatively, the bins are equipped with wheels or mounted on a cart and pulled by a tractor to their designated location. After deploying the bins on the ground, human- or robotic-pickers get in between the tree-lines, start harvesting and fill the bins with harvested fruits.

[0003] When a bin is filled with fruit, the pickers move to the next tree line, while a forklift or a dedicated track takes the full bin for storage, shipment or any other action. Today, bins are usually taken to a warehouse for storage/cooling, and are removed/shipped according to market demand.

[0004] Notably, only after taken out from storage, the bin is taken to a sorting house for sorting the fruits. Only after sorting of the fruit it is possible to evaluate the economic value of each bin and each fruit therein. As a result, there is no way of knowing the real value of each bin within a warehouse, let alone the number of fruits and their quality.

[0005] In all known robotic systems, the bins are mounted and installed on a harvester-robot or on a track to facilitate easy access of the harvesting arms to the bin for deployment of the fruits therein.

[0006] The disadvantage with such robotic systems is that they require many tractors or other vehicles in order to work simultaneously and harvest multiple lines of trees within an orchard. This means that the overall cost of the robotic machinery, which includes the robotic-harvesting arms and the large collecting platform that carries the bin(s) and arms, is quite high, especially when more than one system is required for faster harvesting. An example of such robotic system is a robotic machine that has 1-8 robotics arms, and is designed to carry one or more bins, all mounted on a vehicle or attached to one that pulls it.

[0007] Alternative harvesting techniques involve the use of autonomous harvesting unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV). However, the advanced UAV harvesters need to maneuver to the trees and back to the bin and thereby spend precious flight time which reduces their overall harvesting time.

[0008] Accordingly, a need exists for a more efficient technique and system for harvesting orchards that saves harvesting time and reduces costs.

SUMMARY

[0009] The present invention provides a harvesting system for autonomous harvesting to be used together with a fruit collection bin, the system comprising: (a) at least one robotic harvester equipped with: a fruit detection unit for identifying a fruit; a fruit's gripping or collecting tool; and optionally, a cutting tool for cutting a fruit off a tree, and (b) a frame/box for holding the at least one robotic harvester, wherein the frame/box is designed to fit onto the fruit collection bin, and optionally includes a power source.

[0010] The present invention further provides a method for autonomously harvesting fruits, the method comprising the steps of: (a) mounting/attaching a harvesting system of the invention onto a fruits' collection bin or onto a bin wagon; (b) placing the fruits' collecting bin(s) in an orchard either alone or as a train of bins; (c) activating the at least one robotic harvester of the harvesting system, thereby enabling autonomous picking of fruits and filling the fruits' collection bin; (d) optionally, switching the full bin with an empty collection bin; and (e) switching the harvesting system off when the bin is full.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a standard collection bin.

[0012] FIGS. 2A-2C are illustrations of a standard collection bin with an upper frame comprising flying harvesters: FIG. 2A and 2C are of a standard collection bin; and FIG. 2B is of a collection bin with wheels (wagon bin).

[0013] FIGS. 3A-3B are side illustrations of a standard collection bin with a side-addition for holding flying harvesters.

[0014] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a standard collection bin with a side addition of an attached harvesting arm.

[0015] FIGS. 5A-5B are illustrations of a standard collection bin with an inner addition of a flying harvester.

[0016] FIGS. 6A-6C are illustrations of how an upper frame with harvesters (A-flying; B & C-wired) is mounted unto a standard collection bin and then used for harvesting.

[0017] FIGS. 7A-7D are illustrations of a train of collection bin equipped with the harvesters' upper frame: FIG. 7A is a side-view illustration of a two-wagon train, each wagon with wired flying harvesters; FIG. 7B is an upper-view illustration of an orchard with a three-wagon train with free-flying harvesters; FIG. 7C is an illustration of an orchard with three identical trains; and FIG. 7D is an illustration of an orchard with three types of trains.

[0018] FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate a process of harvesting an orchard using one embodiment of a harvesting system according to the invention.

[0019] FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate another process of harvesting an orchard using one embodiment of a harvesting system according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Today, the process of harvesting includes a step of deploying fruit collection bins between the trees. The pickers (human or mechanic) pick the fruits and discharge the fruits into the bins. When a bin is full, it is carried away with a forklift to a storage warehouse.

[0021] When harvesting with ground-moving harvester robots, the robots usually carry their own collection bin(s) and fill it as they move through the tree lines.

[0022] Such manual or robotic harvesting it time consuming and costly since it usually requires either a long harvesting time or numerous harvesters. For example, a 500-hectare farm, with 9000 lines of trees, the length of each line is about 180 meters, needs to be picked within 60 days. Accordingly, it is required to harvest 150 tree lines per day to complete the picking on time. In modern orchards, the number of bins in such a line is about 18, so that the distance between two adjacent bins is approximately 10 meters. The density and number of bins is dependent on the fruit density and on the quality of selective harvesting. The picking rate of a ground harvesting robot with 6 harvesting arms is about one line per day, which means that about 150 tractors or vehicles equipped with such harvesting robot are required to operate the farm, along with about 8 forklifts for collecting the full bins.

[0023] Accordingly, the present invention provides a harvesting system for autonomous harvesting to be used together with a fruit collection bin, the system comprising: (a) at least one robotic harvester equipped with: a fruit detection unit for identifying a fruit; a fruit's gripping or collecting tool; and optionally, a cutting tool for cutting a fruit off a tree, and (b) a frame/box for holding the at least one robotic harvester, wherein the frame/box is designed to fit onto the fruit collection bin, and optionally includes a power source.

[0024] The present invention further provides a harvesting system that comprises a harvesting collection bin and one or more integrated harvesting robots.

[0025] The terms "collection bin" or "bin" as used herein interchangeably, refers to a container for collecting fruits. The bin may be any standard collection bin as currently used in the field or any other container that can be used to collect fruits. Notably, a "collection bin" also includes a portable bin with wheels, such as a collection wagon (also used herein interchangeably) that can be used either as individual wagons that can be dispersed in an orchard, or as a train of wagons that is pulled together into and out of an orchard. Notably, the wagons can be pulled together, disconnect and dispersed in several locations in the orchard, and reconnect back together once filled for removal from the orchard. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the collection bin according to the invention is a wheeled bin or wagon, wherein the wagon is either a standalone unit or is part of a train of wagons.

[0026] The systems of the invention, in which the harvesting robot(s) is installed-on/integrated-with a fruit collection bin, the number of large machinery vehicles required is reduced to a minimum since a single tractor (or two) may be sufficient to deploy all the bins in the orchard in a short period of time, and 8 (or less) forklifts can be used to collect all the filled bins, while the harvesting robots keep on harvesting.

[0027] In certain embodiments of the harvesting system of the invention, the harvesting robots are installed on a collection bin, i.e. using a dedicated vessel/box holding the harvesting robots. This is in contrary to known systems in which the collection bin is mounted on the robot/vehicle.

[0028] In certain embodiments, the collection bin and harvesting robots of the harvesting system of the invention constitute a single unified unit that can be carried into and out of orchards by either a tractor or a forklift. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the harvesting bin of the invention (with its integrated harvesting robots) or a standard collection bin with a harvesting system of the invention mounted thereon, constitutes an autonomous harvesting bin that harvests its own fruit.

[0029] In specific embodiments of the harvesting system of any of the embodiments above, the harvesting robot(s) 103 is installed in a dedicated frame/ring 102 deigned to be mounted onto the top side (opening) of a collection bin 101 or are part of the wagon of a train of collection bins. FIGS. 2A and 2C illustrate how a standard collection bin 101 looks like when equipped with an upper frame 102 comprising flying robotic harvesters 103. FIG. 2B illustrates how a standard collection bin 101 equipped with wheels or part of a train of bins (wagon bin) looks like when equipped with an upper frame 102 comprising flying robotic harvesters 103.

[0030] In specific embodiments of the harvesting system of any of the embodiments above, the robotic harvester is a: (a) robotic harvesting arm that is connected to the frame/box that includes a power source, or (ii) flying unmanned aircraft harvesting vehicle (UAV), which is either flying wirelessly or is wirely connected to the frame/box.

[0031] It should be noted that the number of robotic harvesters 103, either flying ones or not, within the harvesting system of the invention may vary according to need and desire. For instance, there can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more robotic harvesters 103.

[0032] In certain embodiments of the harvesting system of any of the embodiments above, the harvesting robot(s) is provided/installed in a box/suitcase 102 that is designed to be mounted on the outer surface of the collection bin's side wall. FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate how a standard collection bin 101 looks like when equipped with a side-box 102 for holding flying harvesters 103. FIG. 4 illustrates how a standard collection bin 101 looks like when equipped with a side-box 102 holding a robotic harvesting arm(s) 104. It should be noted that the box/suitcase 102 can be mounted on the external side wall of the collection bin (as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4); inside the collection bin (i.e. between the bin's walls); or on top of the bin, i.e. placed on the upper edge of the bin's walls.

[0033] In certain embodiments of the harvesting system of any of the embodiments above, the harvesting robot(s) is placed inside the collection bin. FIGS. 5A-5B illustrates a standard collection bin 101 with an inner addition of a flying harvester 103. Notably, once the collection bin 101 is filled, the flying harvester 103 may either return to the box/frame 102 or be simply placed/land onto the pile of fruits within the bin 101. Alternatively, the flying harvester 103 may be secured to the side walls of the bin (or a wagon-bin), or placed in a dedicated box that can be optionally secured to the side walls of the bin or placed onto the fruits in the bin.

[0034] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrates one possibility to transfer a standard collection bin 101 into a self-harvesting collection bin according to the invention: onto a standard collection bin 101, an upper frame 102 with harvesters (FIG. 6A illustrates free-flying harvesters 103; FIG. 6B illustrates 4 flying harvesters that are wirely connected to the upper frame 102; and FIG. 6C illustrates 2 flying harvesters that are wirely connected to the upper frame 102) is mounted/attached unto the upper surface of the bin 101. Once in place, the assembled bin-frame can be positioned anywhere in an orchard thereby enabling the robotic harvesters 103 to start harvesting and filling the collection bin 101.

[0035] It should be noted that the term "harvesting robot" as used herein refers to a harvesting robotic arm or an unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV).

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 6B, a harvester unit that consists 4 drones is installed on a bin before bin deployment, and the bin is then filled with fruits harvested by the drones. In an exemplary embodiment, the harvesting rate of a single drone is about 100 Kg/hours, which means that 4 drones provide a picking rate of 400 Kg/hour, thereby filling a bin within 1 hour.

[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 6C, a harvester unit that consists 2 drones is installed on a bin before bin deployment, and the bin is then filled with fruits harvested by the drones. In an exemplary embodiment, the harvesting rate of a single drone is about 100 Kg/hours, which means that 2 drones provide a picking rate of 200 Kg/hour, thereby filling a bin within 2 hours.

[0038] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the power consumption of each drone is about 1 kW, weight about 3 Kg, having a lifting force of 8 Kg, and has a fruit payload of about 2 Kg (10 apples).

[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 4, in certain embodiment of the harvesting system of the invention, the harvesting robot is a robotic arm 104 designed to harvest fruits from nearby trees and deliver the harvested fruits into the collection bin 101. In specific embodiments, the robotic arm 104 is telescopic and rotatable to enable reaching distant fruits in any angle. In certain embodiments, the robotic arm 104 has a working radius of up to 5 meters or more, up to 10 meters or more; up to 15 meters or more, up to 20 meters or more, or at least about 30 m.

[0040] In certain embodiments of the harvesting system of any of the embodiments above, the fruit detection unit comprises at least one camera in order to identify fruits for harvesting, and/or to identify obstacles, and optionally for obtaining data regarding fruits' quality and ripeness.

[0041] In certain embodiment of the harvesting system of the invention, the harvesting robot is a UAV equipped with one or more harvesting arms 104 that are designed to harvest fruits in the bin's surroundings at a radius of up to 5 meters or tree-top or more, up to 10 meters or more; up to 15 meters or more, up to 20 meters or more, or about 30 meters or more.

[0042] In certain embodiment of the harvesting system of the invention, the harvesting robot is a threaded UAV 103 that receives energy wirely from a power source located/installed in the frame or box mounted/attached on the collection bin/wagon-bin 101. In certain embodiments, the threaded UAV also receives harvesting instructions from a main computer/computing system located in the frame or box mounted/attached on the collection/wagon bin 101.

[0043] Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the harvesting system according to any of the embodiments above further comprises at least one autonomous energy pack/power source for powering up and/or charging the at least one robotic harvester.

[0044] In certain embodiment, the harvesting system of the invention of any of the embodiments above further comprises a computing system comprising a memory and processor. Such computing system may be designed to receive data regarding the amount and/or quality of the fruits inside each collection bin 101. In certain embodiments, the data further includes any one of the following: fruit color, size, sugar ratio, weight, and any combination thereof. This information is important and useful when managing the storage and quality in the warehouse, and enables to provide the farmer knowledge about potential economic value of the stored fruits in the warehouse.

[0045] In certain embodiments, the computing system of the harvesting system of the invention further comprises an algorithm for determining a fruit's quality inside each collection bin. In certain embodiments, said algorithm for determining the fruit's quality uses at least one of the following parameters for determining the fruit's quality, including ripeness, according to the type of fruit being harvested: color, water content, rigidity/softness, sparkle, size, season, spots-damages inspection, fruit disconnection force (the ripper the fruit is--the easier it is to pull), weight.

[0046] In certain embodiments, the computing system of the harvesting system of the invention enables the at least one robotic harvester to be completely independent/autonomous so that there is no need for a manual control thereof.

[0047] In certain embodiments, the fruit data is provided to the computer/computing system of the system via sensors and indicators located on the harvesting robot(s) and/or other locations/devices or databases. Alternatively, one or more separate units located, e.g. on the collection bin may be used to gather the information, e.g. using a camera, scale, lasers, etc.

[0048] Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the harvesting system according to any of the embodiments above further comprises at least one sensor designed to deliver fruit quality data, and optionally ripeness, to said computing system. In further specific embodiments, the harvesting system according to any of the embodiments above further comprises at least one sensor designed to count the number of fruits placed inside each collection bin.

[0049] It should be noted that the sensors may be located any wherein the system, e.g. as an integral part of the robotic harvester(s), as part of the frame/box, and/or as independent units placed anywhere and associated with the system (wirely or wirelessly).

[0050] In certain embodiments, the harvesting system of the invention further comprises a computing system that enables the robotic harvester to be completely independent/autonomous so that there is no need for a manual control.

[0051] In certain embodiments, the harvesting system of the invention comprises a single harvesting robot. In alternative embodiments, the system comprises 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more robots.

[0052] In certain embodiments, the harvesting system of any of the embodiments above further comprises a computer/computing system comprising a memory, a processor, and an algorithm that calculates the fruit's position in relation to the robotic harvester, which enables: (1) autonomous navigation of the robotic harvester in a complex environment; and (2) autonomous maneuvering the robotic harvester to the fruit to be harvested based on data obtained from the fruit detection unit.

[0053] In certain embodiments, the harvesting system of the invention is connected to one or more harvesting systems of the invention thereby creating a "train" of harvesting systems. FIG. 7A illustrates such a train with collection bins 101 each equipped with a box/suitcase 102 mounted thereon holding a plurality of threaded harvesting UAVs. FIG. 7B illustrates such a train or harvesting wagons placed within an orchard. In such a configuration, the "train" of harvesting systems may be pulled by any suitable means, such as a tractor or a pulling tool, that pulls the "train" through the orchard, positions the bins in place, and then pulls them to a warehouse once filled. Alternatively, the train of bins may be pulled into the orchard by one means, and removed from the orchard, once filled, by another means.

[0054] In specific embodiments, the present invention provides a harvesting system for autonomous harvesting, the system comprising concatenated fruit collecting (harvesting) wheeled-wagons (i.e. a train of fruit collecting wagons) designed to be pulled by a pulling machine, such as a tractor or an integrated motor and guiding system (located, e.g., in the first wagon), wherein at least one of the wagons in the system is equipped with: (a) at least one flying robotic harvester equipped with: a fruit detection unit for identifying a fruit; a fruit's gripping or collecting tool; and optionally, a cutting tool for cutting a fruit off a tree, and (b) a frame/box for holding said at least one robotic harvester and designed to fit onto said fruit collection bin wheeled-wagon, and optionally includes a power source; wherein each one of said fruit collecting (harvesting) wheeled-wagons further comprises a fruit protection system for delivering/moving harvested fruits from the wagon's top to its bottom/floor for protecting fruit from damage during falling into the wagon.

[0055] The present invention further provides a method for autonomously harvesting, e.g., fruits in an orchard, the method comprising the steps of: (a) mounting/attaching a harvesting system according to any of the embodiments above onto a fruits' collection bin or onto a fruit collection wagon; (b) placing the fruits' collecting bin/wagon in an orchard; a tractor/truck takes/pulls the bins/wagons (with the mounted harvesting system) to the tree lines and deploy the bins on the ground. The bins can be installed on a wheeled-platform or equipped with wheels (thereby becoming a wagon) to assist their pulling by a tractor; (c) activating the at least one robotic harvester of the harvesting system thereby enabling autonomous picking of fruits and filling the fruits' collection bin; and (d) switching the harvesting system off when the bin is full, and optionally returning the robotic harvester(s) back into its frame/box.

[0056] In specific embodiments, the harvesting method according to the invention further comprises step (e) of dismantling the harvesting system from the full bin and optionally placing/attaching same to an empty collection bin for further harvesting if needed. This can be done in the orchard or anywhere else. Accordingly, in another specific embodiment, step (e) is carried out outside the orchard.

[0057] In specific embodiments, the harvesting method according to the any of the embodiments above further comprises step (f) of transporting the full bin (with or without the harvesting system) to a warehouse.

[0058] In certain embodiments of the method according to any of the embodiments above: step (a) is carried out outside the orchard, and step (b) means that the collection bin is placed in the orchard when the harvesting system is already attached thereto; step (b) of the method according to any of the embodiments above is carried out by a tractor/truck or by rolling/pulling the collection bins on their own wheels (if present); and/or step (d) is carried automatically when the harvesting system identifies that the fruits' collection bin is full.

[0059] In certain embodiments of the method according to any of the embodiments above, more than one fruits' collection bin is used, each collection bin is equipped with the harvesting system of the invention, and all harvesting systems work simultaneously, autonomously and independently from one another in the same orchard.

[0060] In alternative embodiments of the method according to any of the embodiments above, more than one fruits' collection bin is used, but only some of the collection bins are equipped with the harvesting system of the invention, and all harvesting systems work simultaneously, autonomously and independently from one another, wherein once a collection bin is filled, its associated harvesting system is transferred to an empty collection bin and activated for filling the collection bin, until all collection bins are filled. Alternatively, a single harvesting system of the invention may be used to fill several collection bins in tis proximity, without needing to transfer it from a filled collection bin to an empty one.

[0061] Reference is now made to FIGS. 8A-8C. As illustrated, collection bins, each equipped with a harvesting system of the invention with (2 wired) harvesting drones, are dispersed within an orchard (FIG. 8A). All drones operate independently from one another and fill the collection bin to which they are associated with (FIG. 8B). Once the bins are filled, the drones return to their frame/box, and the filled bins are removed from the orchard by suitable means. The harvesting system can now be transferred to empty bins for further harvesting in the same or different orchard.

[0062] Reference is now made to FIGS. 9A-9D. As illustrated, collection bins are dispersed within an orchard while only a few of them are equipped with a harvesting system of the invention (FIG. 9A). The harvesting drones operate independently from one another and fill the collection bin they are associated with, while all other collection bins remain empty (FIG. 9B). Once the bins that were equipped with the harvesting system of the invention are filled, the drones return to their frame/box 102, which is then transferred to the next collection bin, while the filled bins are removed from the orchard without the harvesting system (FIGS. 9C & 9D). This process continues as desired, e.g. until all the orchard has been harvested.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, an orchard comprises 200 meters tree-lines. The distance between the collection bins that are distributed within the orchard is about 10 meters, which means about 20 bins are used per tree line. In this example, the maximal distance between a harvesting drone and the bin is about 5 m, and the average distance is about 2.5 m. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, two drones are associated with each bin, providing a bin-filling time of about 2 hours. Since all the drones work simultaneously and autonomously, 2 operators are sufficient to operate each tree line (20 bins, 40 drones). For the sake of comparison, the same picking rate of 20 bins would usually require 32 manual workers. In addition to the 2 operators, one forklift and one tractor are used for deployment and collection of the bins and can serve up to 6 lines of trees per hour (i.e. 120 bins/hour).

[0064] In specific embodiments of the method according to any of the embodiments above, step (a) of mounting/attaching a harvesting system according to claim 1 onto a fruits' collection bin means mounting/attaching a harvesting system according to claim 1 onto one or more fruits' collection wagons that constitutes a train of wagons; and step (b) of placing said fruits' collecting bin(s) in an orchard, means pulling the train of wagons into the orchard between tree lines. In further specific embodiments, the method further comprises a step of relocating the train of wagons when there are no more fruits to pick to a new harvesting location in the orchard.

[0065] In alternative specific embodiments of the above method, step (b) of pulling the train of wagons into the orchard means continuously pulling the train of wagons through the orchard's lines, i.e. without stopping, wherein the train moves slowly through the orchard, while the harvesting robots harvest the fruits as the train moves. In specific embodiments, the movement speed of the train through the orchard is about 25-meters per hour or less, about 20-meters per hour or less, about 15-meters per hour or less, about 10-meters per hour or less, about 7-meters per hour or less, about 5-meters per hour or less, or about 2-meters per hour or less.

[0066] It should be noted that when using a train of wagons, in which some or all of the wagons are equipped with the harvesting system of the invention (FIG. 7C illustrates a train of wagons in which all the wagons are equipped with the harvesting system of the invention), it is possible to define specific harvesting configuration for each harvesting robot. For instance, when the harvesting system is mounted on every other wagon, the harvesting robots may be instructed to fill nearby wagons that are not equipped with the harvesting system (see e.g. FIG. 7D). The harvesting robots may be flying wired or wireless robots or harvesting arms. Another harvesting configuration is that each harvesting system on each wagon is responsible for picking/harvesting fruits from predefined different tree heights, such that all wagons together pick the entire tree's height. Another harvesting configuration is that each harvesting system on each wagon is responsible for picking/harvesting fruits from a different grade, thereby filling the wagons with fruits of the same grade, e.g. grade A, grade B, etc.

[0067] The harvesting system and method of the invention has many advantages, such as: all harvesting robots works simultaneously, which saves harvesting time; all harvesting robots works autonomously, which saves man labor; harvesting rate depends-on/can be controlled by the deployment of the harvesting system; no need for special-new bin deployment and collection machinery; and the system enables easy control and supervision on the number of fruits and their quality in each bin before storage.

[0068] Notably, the train configuration, in which multiple collection wagon are pulled into the orchard, some or all of the wagons are equipped with the harvesting system of the invention with its harvesting robots (flying or not), is cost effective and further enables fruits' sorting already at the orchard. For example, a train of 5 collection wagons can have 5 different fruit-grades and each wagon may be assigned to collect different grade of fruit, e.g. Grade A (best) in the first wagon, Grade B in the second, etc.

[0069] In specific embodiments, the harvesting system of any of the embodiments above further comprises a fruit protection system that comprises an elevator floor that is designed to gradually and gently lower harvested fruits from the top opening of the collection bin to its bottom (or on top of previously harvested fruits) thereby preventing bruising/damaging the fruits due to their falling to the bottom of the collection bin.

Claims

1.-30. (canceled)

31. A harvesting system for autonomous harvesting to be used together with a fruit collection bin, the system comprising: a) at least one robotic harvester equipped with: a fruit detection unit for identifying a fruit; a fruit's gripping or collecting tool; and optionally, a cutting tool for cutting a fruit off a tree, and b) a frame/box for holding said at least one robotic harvester, wherein: said frame/box is designed to fit onto said fruit collection bin, and optionally includes a power source; and said robotic harvester is a: robotic harvesting arm that is connected to the frame/box that includes a power source; or flying unmanned aircraft harvesting vehicle (UAV), which is either flying wirelessly or is wirely connected to the frame/box.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein said fruit detection unit comprises at least one camera.

33. The system of claim 31, further comprising: (i) at least one autonomous energy pack/power source for powering up and/or charging said at least one robotic harvester; (ii) at least one sensor designed to deliver fruit quality data to said computing system; (iii) at least one sensor designed to count the number of fruits placed inside each collection bin; or (iv) a computing system comprising a memory and processor, that enables said at least one robotic harvester to be completely independent/autonomous, or any combination thereof.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said computing system is further designed to: (i) determine/calculate fruit's quality placed inside each collection bin; and/or (ii) receive data regarding the amount and/or quality of the fruits placed inside each collection bin.

35. The system of claim 31, wherein: said robotic harvester is: a robotic harvesting arm that is connected to the frame/box; or a flying unmanned aircraft harvesting vehicle (UAV), which is either flying wirelessly or is wirely connected to the frame/box; and the system: comprising at least one autonomous energy pack/power source for powering up and/or charging said at least one robotic harvester; comprising at least one sensor designed to deliver fruit quality data to said computing system and/or count the number of fruits placed inside each collection bin; and comprising a computing system comprising a memory and processor, that enables said at least one robotic harvester to be completely independent/autonomous.

36. The system of claim 31, further comprising a fruit protection system for delivering/moving harvested fruits from the collection bin's top to its bottom/floor for protecting fruit from damage during falling into the collection bin.

37. The system of claim 31, wherein said collection bin is a wheeled bin or wagon, optionally as part of a train of wheeled bins or wagons.

38. A harvesting system for autonomous harvesting to be used together with a fruit collection bin, the system comprising: a) at least one robotic harvester equipped with: a fruit detection unit for identifying a fruit; a fruit's gripping or collecting tool; and optionally, a cutting tool for cutting a fruit off a tree, and b) a frame/box for holding said at least one robotic harvester, wherein said frame/box is designed to fit onto said fruit collection bin, and optionally includes a power source.

39. A harvesting system for autonomous harvesting, the system comprising concatenated fruit collecting (harvesting) wheeled-wagons designed to be pulled by a pulling machine, wherein at least one of the wagons is equipped with: a) at least one flying robotic harvester equipped with: a fruit detection unit for identifying a fruit; a fruit's gripping or collecting tool; and optionally, a cutting tool for cutting a fruit off a tree, and b) a frame/box for holding said at least one robotic harvester and designed to fit onto said fruit collection bin wheeled-wagon, and optionally includes a power source; wherein each one of said fruit collecting (harvesting) wheeled-wagons further comprises a fruit protection system for delivering/moving harvested fruits from the wagon's top to its bottom/floor for protecting fruit from damage during falling into the wagon.

40. A method for autonomously harvesting fruits, the method comprising the steps of: a. mounting/attaching a harvesting system according to claim 31 onto a fruits' collection bin; b. placing said fruits' collecting bin(s) in an orchard; c. activating the at least one robotic harvester of the harvesting system, thereby enabling autonomous picking of fruits and filling the fruits' collection bin; and d. switching the harvesting system off when the bin is full.

41. The method of claim 17, further comprising: (i) step (e) of dismantling the harvesting system from the full bin and optionally placing/attaching same on an empty bin, wherein said step is optionally carried out outside the orchard; and/or (ii) a final step of transporting the full bin to a warehouse.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein: step (a) is carried out outside the orchard; and step (b) means that the collection bin is placed in the orchard when the harvesting system is already attached thereto; step (b) is carried out by a tractor/truck or by rolling/pulling the bins on their own wheels (if present); and/or step (d) is carried automatically when the harvesting system identifies that the fruits' collection bin is full.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein more than one fruits' collection bin is used, and: (i) each collection bin is equipped with said harvesting systems, and all harvesting systems work simultaneously, autonomously and independently from one another; or (ii) only some of the collection bins are equipped with said harvesting systems, and all harvesting systems work simultaneously, autonomously and independently from one another, wherein once a collection bin is filled, its associated harvesting system is transferred to an empty collection bin and activated for filling said collection bin, until all collection bins are filled.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein: step (a) of mounting/attaching a harvesting system according to claim 1 onto a fruits' collection bin means mounting/attaching a harvesting system according to claim 1 onto one or more fruits' collection wagons that constitutes a train of wagons; and step (b) of placing said fruits' collecting bin(s) in an orchard, means pulling the train of wagons into the orchard between tree lines.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising a step of relocating the train of wagons when there are no more fruits to pick to a new harvesting location in the orchard.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein step (b) of pulling the train of wagons into the orchard means continuously pulling the train of wagons through the orchard's lines, while the harvesting robots harvest the fruits as the train moves.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein each wagon is responsible for picking fruits from: (i) a predefined different tree height; and/or (ii) a different grade.