AI-powered rubber-tapping robots designed to alleviate labour shortage in China
In a bid to tackle the chronic labour shortages plaguing its natural rubber industry, China has unveiled a mobile rubber-tapping robot, marking a leap forward in agricultural automation, Xinhua reports
Photo by Xinhua
Developed jointly by the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) and Beijing-based tech firm Automotive Walking Technology, the self-navigating robot is set to undergo trials in rubber plantations in south China's Hainan Province during the upcoming tapping season in April.
In a demonstration video, the robot can be seen approaching a rubber tree, before halting with pinpoint accuracy and then extending its robotic arm to execute a precise cutting motion on the trunk. Within seconds after this cutting motion, the video reveals milky-white latex flowing steadily from the incision made by the robot.
China's natural rubber sector, vital for tire manufacturing and as a source of industrial supplies, is currently facing a significant workforce deficit due to its gruelling working conditions, nocturnal shifts and high incidence of occupational diseases.
"The rubber-tapping robots have been developed to address the exodus of rubber tappers, which is the industry's critical pain point," CATAS Deputy Director Cao Jianhua said.
The robot, equipped with a multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arm and caterpillar-track mobility, leverages AI-driven technologies to adapt to complex terrain and perform precision cuts. Its navigation system combines laser radar and multi-sensor fusion algorithms, enabling high-precision positioning in dense plantations. Also, visual tech determines tree bark depth and cutting angles, achieving 80 percent manual harvesting efficiency with matching latex quality.
The rubber-tapping robot can harvest 100 to 120 trees per hour, powered by lithium batteries that provide over 8 hours of continuous operation. Notably, its 20-second rapid battery swap capability ensures uninterrupted workflow in large plantations.
