Application

Autonomous leaf cutting robot for high wire cultivation

Technology

Artificial intelligence is the USP of our modular robot platform

Products

The CropTeq platform will do more than just cut leaves

The future of Leaf Cutting Starts Today  

Thank you for visiting us at the Bosman Van Zaal booth (01.429) and for speaking with one of our technical team members. We enjoyed GreenTech 2026 in Amsterdam and appreciated the opportunity to connect with you.

VDL and Bosman Van Zaal have jointly developed an autonomous robotic platform for greenhouse horticulture. After intensive development and extensive field testing, our leaf-cutting robot is now ready for commercial deployment.

This does not mean development is complete. On the contrary. We see significant opportunities to further improve performance and believe the fastest route to an optimal solution is through continuous improvement in real greenhouse environments. That is why we are inviting a select group of forward-thinking growers to join us in the next phase of development.

Autonomy has been the driving force behind our development efforts. A robot that requires constant supervision does not solve the labour challenge. Therefore, we have focused on creating a system that can work independently alongside your employees without the need for a dedicated operator. The robot becomes an additional colleague in the greenhouse: reliable, predictable, and available whenever needed.

We believe that robotics only creates real value when it delivers immediate economic benefits. That is why we are introducing a unique “Pay per Cut” model. You pay a fixed monthly usage-based fee for the work performed. This fee is lower than your current manual labour costs (reference Netherlands)

As a result, you benefit immediately from lower labour costs without making a significant upfront investment. We take on the technology risk; you benefit from the results.

Why have we chosen this approach?

Robots operating in greenhouse environments must work safely alongside people and crops. This naturally limits the speed at which they can operate. Many existing robotic solutions appear attractive on paper but become less economical in practice when supervision, maintenance, service, and downtime are taken into account.

With our service model, we look beyond today’s performance. While we continue to optimise the technology, you directly benefit from increasing efficiency. In other words, your business grows together with the performance improvements of the system.

As a participant, you become part of a select group of innovative growers helping to shape the future of autonomous cultivation. Your practical experience contributes to the further development of the technology, while you gain early access to the latest innovations.

Once the system reaches its targeted performance level, we will also offer you the opportunity to transition to a purchase model.

If you want to reduce your dependence on labour availability, lower your operating costs, and position yourself at the forefront of innovation, we invite you to explore the possibilities of our leaf-cutting robot and the “Pay per Cut” programme.

Together, we are building the future of autonomous labour in greenhouse horticulture.

 

Ask for the CropTeq SmartScout

Discover the future of precision agriculture with CropTeq SmartScout, the revolutionary autonomous greenhouse explorer that elevates your cultivation to the next level.

Autonomy and Sensor Technology

Our SmartScout is equipped with the latest sensor technology and can navigate through your greenhouse fully autonomously. With an array of sensors, the device continuously collects data on your crops, providing you with real-time insights into the health and development of your plants.

Cloud-based Data Storage

All collected measurement data are stored as raw data in our secure cloud platform. This ensures easy access and analysis, giving you the freedom to integrate third-party applications for further data processing.

Four Levels of Insight

The SmartScout offers four levels of data collection, each designed to recognize and annotate specific deviations. Through this advanced image recognition, the SmartScout can proactively identify problems and mark them as issues at the exact location in your greenhouse.

Qualified Inspection

Once an issue is detected, it is saved and linked to the respective greenhouse location. A qualified employee can then inspect the location and take the necessary actions.

Advanced Analysis Features

  • Temperature, CO2, and Light: The SmartScout not only measures essential environmental factors but also visually presents them in a heatmap, allowing you to quickly identify areas with potential risks.
  • Fruit Counting and Qualification: Our system counts and qualifies fruits, contributing to efficient harvest planning and quality control.
  • Leaf Area Index: The measurement of the leaf area index provides valuable information about plant growth and density, essential for optimizing your cultivation strategies.

Take Control of Your Cultivation

With CropTeq SmartScout, you’re in control. Improve your yield, reduce your costs, and make decisions based on accurate, real-time data. Switch to the smart way of growing now.

Contact us for a demonstration and see for yourself how CropTeq SmartScout can transform your greenhouse.

Ask for the CropTeq Smart Harvesting.

Harvesting revolves around four key aspects:

  • Speed: speed is making the ROI.
  • Autonomy: at least 10 hours of unattended operation.
  • Sanning the fruit: sorting on weight and reducing give-away is decisive.
  • Continous flow of crates is driving the economics.

With our leaf-picking algorithms, the transition to harvesting is not only swift but significantly simpler. The autonomous logistics, which involve moving hundreds of kilos per aisle, are crucial. During a night shift many aisle will be harvested.

Speed 

Our harvesting concept is rooted in speed, with a target of 5 seconds per cut. This demands smart technology (patent pending) and innovation. The removal of the harvested product is even more critical; without it, there can be no autonomous flow.

Smart logistic

The loading and unloading of empty and full crates represent the real bottleneck, and it’s here that we make a difference with our patent-pending technology. The standout feature is the simplicity and the potential of a cost-efficient system. Every 15 minutes, five crates brimming with harvest roll out of the aisle towards the warehouse. Twenty minutes later, the transport bot returns empty. Thus, with just three bots and a harvest robot, we can harvest throughout the night. The prospect of smart sorting is something we’re eager to explain face-to-face.

Unique battery management. 

Our systems have been designed for maximum operation, with a battery concept that allows for 24/7/365 deployment. This means the counter is not limited; its availability is always assured.

Ideal geometry and drive set-up

The sleek design of the robot and its speed ensure that the harvesting rate is determined by cobot standards. This is complemented by a smart and patent-pending solution that we are once again eager to explain face-to-face. We take pride in the potential speed.

The path-switching is based on a concept that also allows for the freedom to navigate through the greenhouse, even accommodating concrete paths with significant deviations.

Platform for more

The navigation function, path-switching, and freedom of movement align perfectly with our collaboration with Cleanlight to combat powdery mildew without pesticides. Additionally, autonomous and mobile scouting with multiple sensors and smart algorithms enables data-driven cultivation.

Welcome to Cleanlight SmartProtection.

Cleanlight cleanses the air of mildew spores, viruses, and bacteria, thereby protecting your crops and preventing production loss. Cleanlight also adds a UV supplement that benefits plant health.

Not spraying pesticides for just one day is not only beneficial for food safety but also for maintaining healthy plants.

UV-C is 100% organic, environmentally friendly, and enhances crop quality.

With the autonomous mobile robot solution, it is possible to treat 4 to 5 hectares per night. Add a data pole, and by day it scouts and collects data, and by night it protects the crops.