Precision agriculture requires repeatable, careful, and traceable operations. From fruit harvesting to packaging, margins are tight: the product must not be damaged, harvesting speed must be maintained, and post-harvest quality must be ensured. The Yaskawa Motoman GP8, an agile and compact general-purpose robot, is being adopted in assisted harvesting and post-harvest cells (sorting, boxing, and light palletizing) thanks to its repeatability and ease of integration with vision systems.
The GP8 — 6 axes, compact format — stands out for its agility in short cycles and its ability to mount soft grippers that protect the product’s skin. In sorting applications, integration with 2D/3D vision and trained models enables evaluation of color, size, and defects in fruits such as tomatoes, strawberries, or grapes, and sorting by market category without slowing down the line.
For assisted harvesting in greenhouses or packing houses, the GP8 is installed on rails or mobile tables; its reach and kinematics allow picking between branches or trays without interfering with surrounding structures. In post-harvest, it automates oriented boxing, places separators, and builds layers ready for palletizing, ensuring the package remains fresh and stable.
Yaskawa’s control system enables smooth motion profiles, which are critical to avoid damaging delicate fruits. Additionally, functional safety packages (speed/position monitoring) allow collaborative cells with minimal guarding (in compliance with regulations and risk assessments).
One integrator implemented a GP8 with soft gripper and 3D vision on a cherry tomato line. The system sorted by diameter and color, filling trays in a specific pattern to prevent movement during transport. Mechanical damage was significantly reduced, productivity increased, and traceability information was captured by farm and batch.
The Yaskawa Motoman GP8 brings smart automation to precision agriculture, especially in post-harvest. With soft grippers, advanced vision, and reliable cycles, it helps preserve quality, reduce waste, and stabilize production against seasonality—improving costs and delivery times.
Interested in learning more or exploring robotic solutions tailored to your needs? Don’t hesitate to contact us—we’re here to help you find the safest and most efficient path forward.