Autonomous robotic pruning in orchards and vineyards: A review
Manual pruning is labor intensive and represents up to 25% of annual labor costs in fruit production, notably in apple orchards and vineyards where operational challenges and cost constraints limit the adoption of large-scale machinery. In response, a growing body of research is investigating compac...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Smart Agricultural Technology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772375525005143 |
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| author | Alessandro Navone Mauro Martini Marcello Chiaberge |
| author_facet | Alessandro Navone Mauro Martini Marcello Chiaberge |
| author_sort | Alessandro Navone |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Manual pruning is labor intensive and represents up to 25% of annual labor costs in fruit production, notably in apple orchards and vineyards where operational challenges and cost constraints limit the adoption of large-scale machinery. In response, a growing body of research is investigating compact, flexible robotic platforms capable of precise pruning in varied terrains, particularly where traditional mechanization falls short.This paper reviews recent advances in autonomous robotic pruning for orchards and vineyards, addressing a critical need in precision agriculture. Our review examines literature published between 2014 and 2024, focusing on innovative contributions across key system components. Special attention is given to recent developments in machine vision, perception, plant skeletonization, and control strategies, areas that have experienced significant influence from advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The analysis situates these technological trends within broader agricultural challenges, including rising labor costs, a decline in the number of young farmers, and the diverse pruning requirements of different fruit species such as apple, grapevine, and cherry trees.By comparing various robotic architectures and methodologies, this survey not only highlights the progress made toward autonomous pruning but also identifies critical open challenges and future research directions. The findings underscore the potential of robotic systems to bridge the gap between manual and mechanized operations, paving the way for more efficient, sustainable, and precise agricultural practices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a6525b62d1da41aebfe97dc105db9d78 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2772-3755 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Smart Agricultural Technology |
| spelling | doaj-art-a6525b62d1da41aebfe97dc105db9d782025-08-20T04:00:55ZengElsevierSmart Agricultural Technology2772-37552025-12-011210128310.1016/j.atech.2025.101283Autonomous robotic pruning in orchards and vineyards: A reviewAlessandro Navone0Mauro Martini1Marcello Chiaberge2Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, 10129, TO, Italy; PIC4SeR, Politecnico di Torino Interdepartmental Center for Service Robotics, Corso Ferrucci 112, Torino, 10141, TO, Italy; Corresponding author at: Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, 10129, TO, Italy.Department of Electronics and Telecommunications, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, 10129, TO, Italy; PIC4SeR, Politecnico di Torino Interdepartmental Center for Service Robotics, Corso Ferrucci 112, Torino, 10141, TO, ItalyDepartment of Electronics and Telecommunications, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, 10129, TO, Italy; PIC4SeR, Politecnico di Torino Interdepartmental Center for Service Robotics, Corso Ferrucci 112, Torino, 10141, TO, ItalyManual pruning is labor intensive and represents up to 25% of annual labor costs in fruit production, notably in apple orchards and vineyards where operational challenges and cost constraints limit the adoption of large-scale machinery. In response, a growing body of research is investigating compact, flexible robotic platforms capable of precise pruning in varied terrains, particularly where traditional mechanization falls short.This paper reviews recent advances in autonomous robotic pruning for orchards and vineyards, addressing a critical need in precision agriculture. Our review examines literature published between 2014 and 2024, focusing on innovative contributions across key system components. Special attention is given to recent developments in machine vision, perception, plant skeletonization, and control strategies, areas that have experienced significant influence from advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The analysis situates these technological trends within broader agricultural challenges, including rising labor costs, a decline in the number of young farmers, and the diverse pruning requirements of different fruit species such as apple, grapevine, and cherry trees.By comparing various robotic architectures and methodologies, this survey not only highlights the progress made toward autonomous pruning but also identifies critical open challenges and future research directions. The findings underscore the potential of robotic systems to bridge the gap between manual and mechanized operations, paving the way for more efficient, sustainable, and precise agricultural practices.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772375525005143PruningAutonomous robotsReviewOrchardsVineyards |
| spellingShingle | Alessandro Navone Mauro Martini Marcello Chiaberge Autonomous robotic pruning in orchards and vineyards: A review Smart Agricultural Technology Pruning Autonomous robots Review Orchards Vineyards |
| title | Autonomous robotic pruning in orchards and vineyards: A review |
| title_full | Autonomous robotic pruning in orchards and vineyards: A review |
| title_fullStr | Autonomous robotic pruning in orchards and vineyards: A review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Autonomous robotic pruning in orchards and vineyards: A review |
| title_short | Autonomous robotic pruning in orchards and vineyards: A review |
| title_sort | autonomous robotic pruning in orchards and vineyards a review |
| topic | Pruning Autonomous robots Review Orchards Vineyards |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772375525005143 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT alessandronavone autonomousroboticpruninginorchardsandvineyardsareview AT mauromartini autonomousroboticpruninginorchardsandvineyardsareview AT marcellochiaberge autonomousroboticpruninginorchardsandvineyardsareview |