Agriculture + Robotics = Apple Picking Robots in Idaho

Posted Mon, 10/13/2008 - 6:05pm by Tac
Robot Attack!

The thing about tech in Idaho is that you end up with some interesting mash-ups. Robotics and agriculture isn't new but there's something about the thought of apple picking robots.

Eagle, Idaho's, IONco inc. has been awarded a USDA grant:

From their site:

As of October 1st, 2008, Ionco Inc. of Eagle, Idaho, a member of a large research consortium, has been funded for research and development from the 2008 Federal Farm Bill.  Partners in the consortium include Carnegie Mellon University and USDA ARS Laboratory at Kerneysville, W. Virginia.

More information can be found at the CASC site.

The details aren't exactly clear to me but I know this is a big boost for IONco inc. I love hearing good news for local companies and I esp. like learning about new companies I never new existed.

Thanks to Rick Ritter for the tip. Have a tip for TechBoise? Email me tac@techboise.com.

Image by Dan Coulter via Flickr

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Comments

I am seriously impressed with

by Norris Krueger (not verified) - 10/14/2008 - 12:45am

I am seriously impressed with Eagle's progress -- the Eagle-Star Tech Corridor effort is making great strides, simply by stepping up. (At ESTECH meetings, it's almost disconcerting when everyone with action items.. acted. LOL) The budget of $0 is pretty interesting too.

Teri Bath has driven this boat skillfully (as have Lloyd Mahaffey & Rosemary Regner & John Sosoka & ... well, it's a team.)

p.s. fyi, the invention's

by Norris (not verified) - 10/14/2008 - 7:23pm

p.s. fyi, the invention's details:

http://tinyurl.com/ionco-patent (for all the gory details)

Looks like kudos also to Steve Nipper as the legal guy here.

USPTO Application #: 20080010961
Title: Self propelled robotic fresh picker
Abstract: The invention is an automated fruit harvester which includes sensors and robotic arms which position themselves adjacent to a fruit to be harvested. A fruit transport head secures the fruit, cuts the stem, and transports the fruit within the hollow arm, to deposit the fruit in a collection bin.
(end of abstract)
Agent: Dykas, Shaver & NIPPER, LLP - Boise, ID, US
Inventor: George Gray
USPTO Applicaton #: 20080010961 - Class: 56 102A (USPTO)

actual patent

by Norris (not verified) - 10/14/2008 - 7:30pm

actual patent link:
http://tinyurl.com/ionco-actualpatent

[...] disadvantage to the

by For the love of (seed) money - TechBoise (not verified) - 10/16/2008 - 11:45am

[...] disadvantage to the established players who know how to work the system. We have had some success here and here. If you’re interested in this option the crew at TechConnect can help you [...]

[...] Enjoy what you have and

by What if you don’t live in Silicon Valley? - New Comm B (not verified) - 11/12/2008 - 11:09am

[...] Enjoy what you have and what makes you NOT Silicon Valley. [...]