An Automated Harvesting Update: Harvest CROO Robotics, Traptic, and Advanced Farms

/ John Lin

Harvest costs represent over 70% of operating costs/acre to produce strawberries in California (UC Davis Cost Study, 2021). With the passing of SB-3 minimum wage increase requirements in 2016, the California Strawberry Commission has recognized labor-saving automation as the industry’s leading research priority. By 2018, there were three companies pursuing automated harvesting in California: Harvest CROO Robotics, Traptic, and Advanced Farms.

Photo: https://www.harvestcroorobotics.com
Photo: https://www.traptic.com
Photo: https://www.advanced.farm

Today, Traptic has been acquired by Bowery and will work exclusively in Bowery indoor farms.

Harvest CROO Robotics is working primarily in Florida with plans to enter the California market in 2023.

Advanced Farms is offering robotic harvesting as a service.