Collaboration accelerates innovation and robot development in horticulture

At Certhon, we strive to improve food systems from the inside out. A recent example is our collaboration with DENSO and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in developing and improving our tomato-harvesting robot, Artemy®. This project demonstrates how we combine innovation, technology, and knowledge partnerships to deliver groundbreaking solutions.

Why WUR?
WUR is globally recognized for its cutting-edge technologies in horticulture. Their expertise in crop modeling, robot simulation, and 3D modeling is essential for developing Artemy faster and more efficiently. By running virtual simulations of both the robot and the plants, we can test harvesting processes in realistic scenarios before executing them in the real world. This not only accelerates development but also allows for reproducible testing, which is challenging in actual greenhouses due to changing conditions and natural plant variation.

Collaboration in practice
Since May 2024, we have been working with WUR on the Digital Twin project. Researchers create lifelike, virtual plant models that are each unique, capturing natural variation. This allows us to simulate different varieties, from cherry tomatoes to cocktail tomatoes, and optimize the robot’s interaction with the plants. The project combines WUR’s expertise in plant physiology with Certhon and DENSO’s experience in robotics and technology, resulting in a collaboration at the intersection of agriculture, engineering, and digital innovation.

Impact on technology and innovation
This approach enables us to shorten development time, conduct more efficient testing, and quickly adapt to different crops. The project exemplifies how Certhon not only stays at the forefront of technological developments but actively contributes to the leading edge of robotics and horticultural innovation. It shows that collaboration with top-tier knowledge institutions like WUR helps us achieve ambitious goals and translate our vision into concrete solutions worldwide.

Want to learn more about this groundbreaking project and our collaboration with WUR? Read the full article here:
We chose WUR because they are leading in groundbreaking horticulture technologies.