Milestone Achieved: Mango Ag-Tech AusIndustry Grant Successfully Completed!
A round of applause! Our Accelerating Commercialisation Grant has officially wrapped up, marking the successful completion of a $1.5 million, two-year innovation journey.
What began nearly three years ago as a regional capability mapping discussion between Professor Kerry Walsh and Amanda White across Central Queensland has grown into a transformational project supporting the development and field deployment of Agricultural Robotics’ mango-focused technologies. With funding from AusIndustry, this initiative has laid the groundwork for scalable automation in one of Australia’s most iconic horticultural industries.
Over the course of the grant, Agricultural Robotics has delivered
- The Orion Orchard Imager
A rugged, in-field machine vision system for mango fruit load estimation—now in market. The Imager has been trialed across Queensland and the NT and is currently in use this season with real-time groundtruthing underway.
- FruitMaps SaaS Platform
Our online orchard management tool is transforming manual crop walks into digital yield forecasting, helping growers make data-driven decisions and reduce waste.
- The Orio AutoHarvester
Addressing the chronic harvest labour shortages in the mango sector, this next-generation automation solution is set for deployment in the NT later this year.
Why This Matters
With over 90% of Australia’s mangoes grown in Queensland and the Northern Territory, innovations like these are directly improving productivity, profitability, and resilience for regional growers. Here’s what the impact looks like:
- Mangoes contribute $220+ million annually to the national economy
- Labour accounts for up to 40% of total production costs
- Better forecasting and reduced waste can boost net returns by 20–25%
This project has been about more than just tech—it’s about building real tools for real growers, creating jobs, and ensuring a sustainable future for Northern Australian horticulture.
What’s Next?
Agricultural Robotics has been accepted into the Farmers2Founders Scale Accelerator, where we’ll refine our growth strategy with expert guidance, including from our Executive-in-Residence, Jason Chaffey. This next phase focuses on turning our momentum into long-term commercial success—with tools designed for growers, by people who understand the land.
Thank You
This milestone couldn’t have been achieved without the collaboration and dedication of many. A heartfelt thanks to:
- AusIndustry, for funding and belief in our vision
- Niceforo Farms, our commercial grower partner
- CQUniversity’s Institute for Future Farming Systems
- The Agricultural Robotics and Freelance Robotics teams
This is just the beginning. We’re committed to delivering innovation that supports growers and strengthens agriculture across Northern Australia.
Want to learn more or get involved? Reach out to us at info@agriculturalrobotics.com.au
