Researchers develop infrared vegetable harvesting robot, to the disgust of children everywhere
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted August 12th 2009 10:52AM
posted August 12th 2009 10:52AM
Researchers at England's National Physical Laboratory are working on a device that uses a modified microwave measurement system, terahertz and far-infrared radio frequencies, and a clever cauliflower detection algorithm to let robots "see" beneath -- and harvest -- crops that current technology cannot. So far, the imaging system has been successfully demonstrated in the lab, sparking the interest of at least one UK lettuce grower, and it looks like a product could be commercially available as early as next year. According to Dr. Richard Dudley, Project Lead at NPL, the team began by focusing on cauliflower crops because they're both "one of the hardest" to measure, and totally gross.
soon to be human harvesting robot
Well I for one welcome our new "infrared vegetable harvesting robot" overlords.
you called?
That is all we need... robots controlling human food supply... one more step closer to extinction.
Why? Isn't it still MUCH MUCH cheaper to just pay third world citizens 75 cents a day to pick vegetables instead?
Agreed. Cauliflower is totally gross.
You know, if you don't like something, just put bacon on it.
Also, add some cheese, some butter, salt... ranch on the side... a milkshake to wash it down... Man, I gotta go see my doctor, BRBRB.
No wonder you're all so fit and healthy.
@DirtyVegas
That sir is the best most truthful thing i have ever read on the internet, ever.
Why would I need to robot for manual work, this is why I had kids!
But I love cauliflower :(
Uh yeah cauliflower is awesome. Really good steamed with butter, salt and pepper.
P.S.
Brussel Sprouts are awesome too.
Agreed, it's one of the very few veggies I like.
What exactly is an "infrared vegetable"???????? And why does a robot need to harvest it. Don't we have enough unemployed that we could overrun every infrared vegetable field in the country?
That robot reminds me of the Automator icon in Mac OS X.
To quote a captain:
"A single [vegetable harvesting robot], and forgive me, Commander, is a curiosity. A wonder, even. But thousands of [robots]. Isn't that becoming a race? And won't we be judged by how we treat that race? Are you prepared to condemn him and all who come after him to servitude and slavery?"
Remember Parents DON'T DRESS YOUR KIDS UP LIKE CABBAGE PATCH KIDS WITH ONE OF THESE AROUND.
England is not synonymous with the United Kingdom, just thought you ought to know.
Cabbages are grosser.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=cabbage+fart
Plus, they stink when you boil them.
Huh....I wonder what infrared vegetables taste like....
Dissing Cauliflower?
No, you didn't...
I figured Japan would invent robot farmers first, since all of their human farmers are dying of old age.