Frasky: The tireless grape harvester that drinks no wine and never tires
Frasky is a prototype developed by the Soft Robotics for Human Cooperation and Rehabilitation Lab at the Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Genoa. It can autonomously move through vineyards and perform operations on grapevines. Led by researcher Manuel Catalano, the project is the result of a collaboration with JOiiNT LAB, a joint laboratory that aims to fuse research and industry. Participants include IIT and the Bergamo region's scientific and industrial ecosystem—Consorzio Intellimech, Confindustria Bergamo, the University of Bergamo, and the Kilometro Rosso innovation cluster. Its core goal is to use robotics and artificial intelligence to address Italy's agricultural challenges: crop sustainability in a changing climate and a shortage of skilled, responsible labor. Frasky is tireless and indifferent to alcohol—an ironic reminder that automation can do the hard, repetitive work without distraction.
In This Article:
A collaborative bet on AI and sustainable farming
The project aims to create a bridge between research and industry, accelerating the adoption of smart farming techniques. The collaboration brings together IIT Genoa and JOiiNT LAB, a joint laboratory that fosters collaboration between academia and industry. Partners also include Consorzio Intellimech, Confindustria Bergamo, the University of Bergamo, and Kilometro Rosso. Together, they seek to advance robotics and AI to improve crop productivity, resilience, and environmental stewardship while addressing labor shortages.
How Frasky works: autonomous roaming, a robotic arm, and environmental mapping
Frasky sits on a mobile platform with four autonomous, motorized wheels. It carries a robotic arm and a manipulator designed to work with the above-ground parts of the plants. A camera embedded in the arm lets the system map the surroundings and precisely identify obstacles and objects such as grape clusters. The platform is modular and flexible in both hardware and software, enabling tools to be added as farmers’ needs evolve. The software, developed by IIT, is organized into three main modules: data from perception to build a map of the vineyard and support manipulation; a manipulation module for targeted actions like grabbing grape clusters, visual inspection, or treatment; and an intuitive graphical interface for real-time control. Additionally, the robot arm can be equipped with a nozzle for selective spraying, enabling precise vineyard treatments.
From monitoring to harvesting: precise spraying and care for crops and people
Frasky enables accurate digital monitoring of crop growth and ripening, and can perform mass or selective treatments. It enables precise fertilizer application, reducing both under- and over-fertilization. This targeted approach minimizes exposure to potentially harmful chemicals for workers and lowers environmental impact. Together, these capabilities offer tangible environmental and health benefits while supporting farmers and wine producers.
From lab bench to real vineyards: challenges, field tests, and a future of smart farming
Creating a robot capable of working in real-world farming conditions was no small feat. Vineyards sit on uneven terrain, and seasonal climate shifts continually alter conditions. By late summer, foliage thickens and visibility decreases, challenging the robot’s mobility. The system must move autonomously, avoid obstacles, gather crop-state data, and manipulate the fruits without damage—while performing routine tasks. To tackle these challenges, Frasky was first tested in a laboratory setting on an artificial vineyard, then in a real vineyard in Bergamo. The tests demonstrated the platform’s ability to move, map the terrain, and autonomously perform treatments. For context on grape varieties’ genetic origins, see a related Hi-Tech Mail article.
