China unveils AI-powered rubber-tapping robots to address labor shortages

Hainan, China – In a groundbreaking move to tackle labor shortages in the natural rubber industry, the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) has introduced AI-powered rubber-tapping robots. Developed in collaboration with Beijing-based tech firm Automotive Walking Technology, these self-navigating robots are set to undergo trials in rubber plantations in Hainan Province during the upcoming tapping season in April.

The robots are equipped with multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arms and caterpillar-track mobility, allowing them to navigate complex terrains and perform precision cuts on rubber trees. Utilizing AI-driven technologies, the robots can adapt to varying tree bark depths and cutting angles, achieving 80% of manual harvesting efficiency while maintaining high latex quality.

The introduction of these robots comes at a crucial time for China’s natural rubber sector, which has been facing significant workforce deficits due to grueling 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,” said Cao Jianhua, deputy director of the CATAS rubber research institute.

Powered by lithium batteries, the robots can harvest 100 to 120 trees per hour and operate continuously for over eight hours. Their rapid 20-second battery swap capability ensures uninterrupted workflow in large plantations. Once mass production begins, the cost of the robots is expected to drop below 100,000 yuan (approximately $13,820 USD), making them a cost-effective solution for rubber gardens.

The innovative technology has already garnered interest from multinational tire companies and rubber growers throughout Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and Thailand. As CATAS continues to refine the technology, users will soon be able to monitor the robots directly from their smartphones, leveraging big data and AI for fully automated management of rubber plantations.

This advancement marks a significant leap forward in agricultural automation, promising to alleviate labor shortages and enhance productivity in the natural rubber industry.