Robot cuts leaf in cucumber

The VDL Group and Bosman Van Zaal from Aalsmeer (Netherlands) are joining forces for the market introduction of the innovative CropTeq leaf-cutting robot, which will be available to high-wire cucumber growers in the near future. After use in the labour-intensive leaf cutting of cucumber plants, the robot will be further developed for other crops and more autonomous applications in the coming years.

Data and robotization in high-wire cultivation

In addition to sharing knowledge and expertise, the collaboration focuses on better use of data and robotization in high-wire cultivation. The shared mission of VDL and Bosman Van Zaal comes together in the form of sister organization GreenPEAK-IT, which is also responsible for the sale and installation of the new cutting robot. GreenPEAK-IT originated from a research project by Bosman Van Zaal, and continued as an independent entity with specific knowledge of energy-efficient and autonomous cultivation.

CropTeq Robotics

With CropTeq Robotics, VDL and Bosman Van Zaal focus on autonomous robotics in high-quality greenhouse horticulture. Among other things, labour-intensive work is performed by high-quality Artificial Intelligence-driven robotics. The smart AI vision, which can be trained by the grower, the high robot speed with collision control, the patented end effector that can cut on all sides of the stem, and the compact platform that will also eventually harvest cucumbers, make it a special innovation.