Across China: AI-powered rubber-tapping robots designed to alleviate labor shortage [English]

Author: Xinhua | Source: english.news.cn | Read the full article in English

In an innovative move to address the ongoing labor shortages in China's natural rubber industry, a new mobile robot designed for rubber tapping has been introduced. This robot, developed by the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences and a tech company, is set to be tested in Hainan Province during the upcoming tapping season. The robot is capable of navigating through rubber plantations and performing precise cuts on rubber trees, allowing for efficient latex collection.

The introduction of this technology comes as the rubber industry faces challenges due to difficult working conditions and a declining workforce. The robot can harvest between 100 to 120 trees per hour and operates for over eight hours on a single battery charge. Its advanced navigation system ensures it can work effectively in dense plantations, making it a promising solution for the industry's labor issues.

As the technology progresses, plans are in place to make the robots more user-friendly, allowing growers to monitor their operations via smartphones. With the potential for cost-effective mass production, this innovation could significantly change the landscape of rubber tapping in China and beyond, attracting interest from international tire companies and rubber producers in Southeast Asia.

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