CSB - Dr Ajit Pal Singh - University of Waikato

The University of Waikato has entered two special tools designed to support the kiwifruit industry into the Fieldays Innovation Awards.

Te Kura Mata-Ao School of Engineering created a 3D-printed robotic gripper, as well as soft robotic fingers that conform to fruit surfaces, both designed for gentle fruit handling.

The tools were developed by University of Waikato School of Engineering senior lecturer Dr Ajit Pal Singh and his team of seven.

Singh said the gripper was the component at the end of a robotic system that physically picks the fruit.