Robotic Bee Bread Extraction

With the goal of automating highly repetitive tasks in agriculture, the Robotics Laboratory at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, introduces an innovative robotic system, designed specifically for the extraction of bee pollen known as "Bee Bread".

Advanced Technology: The foundation of our invention lies in a precise Cartesian robotic system engineered for the collection of bee bread from virgin bee combs. This unique solution utilizes a classic stainless pollen picker actuated by the robot. Our robotic manipulator positions the tool over a filled cell, immerses it into the cell, and subsequently transfers the collected pollen to a collection container.
Precision and Efficiency: The technology leverages the repeatable geometry of bee combs for effective harvesting. The system is augmented with a depth camera and appropriate machine vision methods for the detection of filled cells, promising precise collection and increased efficiency. It's estimated that the robotic system will require approximately 20 minutes to collect bee bread from one "AŽ" hive frame.
Real-Word Applications: After successful laboratory testing, the robotic system is set to be validated in real-world conditions.
Beyond Harvesting: While our robotic system is designed for the precise extraction of bee bread, its versatility also presents considerable advantages for other applications within beekeeping. With minor modifications to the existing technology, the robot could potentially be configured for additional tasks within the hive.