Robot: Valera
Task(s): Transportation, monitoring, spraying
Development start: 2021
Pricing:
Valera vehicle platform – sales starting at €24,000 ($25,289*).
Valera autonomy package – software subscription starts at €2,000 ($2,107*) per annum per unit (*according to the exchange rate of 01-11-2023)
Manufacturer:
Description
Valera is an autonomous transport system designed to support pickers harvesting speciality crops such as strawberries, zucchini and other vegetables in open fields and tunnels. It addresses labour shortages on farms, increasing harvesting productivity by 30-40% by reducing long walking distances for pickers and improving transparency in picking quality. Its low entry barrier allows easy integration into existing processes without requiring additional infrastructure. Valera operates independently, thanks to its electric drive wheels and solar power system. It navigates autonomously, adapting to pickers’ movements and ensuring precise, damage-free harvesting with advanced optical sensors.
Drive train type
24V electrical drive, solar powered
Characteristics
Speed: 3 km/h max.
Drive: 2-wheel electric drive for maximum traction and interchangeable tires for different field conditions
Payload: Carrying capacity 168 boxes (40 x 30 x 15 cm) or 800 kg
User Interface: Simple operating concept via joystick & start/stop button
Battery: 24-volt battery system incl. charger
Sensors: Stereo cameras for navigation & obstacle detection, nearfield sensors for obstacle detection, safety shutoff
Navigation system
Valera is brought into position via a joystick at the beginning of each row and autonomous row navigation is initiated by means of a start button. During travel along the crop rows, the pickers stay in front of the robot and collect the crop in crates. The robot keeps a distance of a few meters and continuously follows behind at this distance. Once a harvest box has been filled, a picker can simply turn around and the robot comes directly to a stop. The full crate can be placed on the transport platform and a new empty crate can be taken from the depot for the next picking process. This process is repeated until the end of the row is reached and the transport robot can be unloaded.
Specifications
| Name/type robot | Valera |
| Dimensions | 2.0 m x 3.5 m x 2.0 m (L x B x H) |
| Turning radius | 1.5 m |
| Weight | 250kg |
| Energy source | Electrical/solar |
| Energy stock/range | Unlimited during harvest season |
| Driveline | 2-wheel 24-volt electric drive |
| Navigation system | Optical |
| Output capacity | 30-40% increase in picking rate |
| Pricing | Valera vehicle platform – sales starting at €24,000 ($25,289*). Valera autonomy package – software subscription starts at €2,000 ($2,107*) per annum per unit (*according to the exchange rate of 01-11-2023) |
| Availability (countries) | Europe (international sales on request) |
| Units operational (total end 2023) | 10 |
