Yamaha acquires NZ’s Robotics Plus, boosting agricultural automation
New Zealand-based company Robotics Plus, a specialist in agricultural automation, has announced an agreement for it to be acquired by Yamaha Motor to form Yamaha Agriculture.
New Zealand inventor and manufacturer Robotics Plus Limited’s fruit packing robot has hit a major milestone of one billion pieces of fruit packed.
The billionth piece of fruit packed – an apple – was in France at Vergers de Sennevieres. The robots were sold, installed, and supported by industrial equipment supplier Sormaf in 2022. The machines have allowed Vergers de Sennevieres to redeploy resources from this traditionally labour-intensive process into higher value post-harvest activities.
Global Pac Technologies, another Kiwi company, started marketing the Aporo produce packing robot in 2018 on behalf of Robotics Plus Limited.
Global Pac sales director Cameron McInness says this milestone is a testament to the partnership and collaboration between designers, supply partners and end-users resulting in revolutionary change to packhouses. “The Aporo produce packer is a market leader in loose fruit packing automation globally and its ground-breaking technology continues to evolve, bringing with it accuracy and speed,” he explains.
“[Aporo’s] compact footprint is ideal for retrofitting into existing facilities, as well as intuitive controls that minimise the need for operator intervention and a design that prioritises food safety – all attributes the industry asked for and the team at Robotics Plus has delivered.”
The company says it is active in eight countries around the world, robotically packing apples and stonefruit with more fruit types coming online soon.
“It is important that wevthank everyone who played a role in taking what was originally a doctoral study, commercialising the technology, and taking it to the world through our dedicated distribution partners,” McInness adds.
In the first of two articles focusing on electrification in New Zealand, Leo Argent talks with Mike Casey, operator of the 100% electric-operated Electric Cherries orchard and founder of advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa.
A Foundation for Arable Research initiative which took a closer look at the efficiency of a key piece of machinery for arable farmers - their combine harvesters - has been recognised at the Primary Industry NZ Awards.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has reiterated New Zealand’s ‘China And’ policy, adding that it wasn’t about choosing one market over another but creating more options for exporters.
A long running trade dispute between New Zealand and Canada over dairy access has been resolved.
New Zealand Police is urging rural property owners to remain vigilant and ensure their property is secure.
New Zealand and Malaysia have agreed to boost trade for high-quality halal meat products.
OPINION: Spare a thought for the arable farmer, squeezed on one side by soft global prices and on the other…
OPINION: Labour leader Chris 'Chippy' Hipkins is carrying on the world-class gaslighting of the nation that he and his cohorts…