New Robot Pollinates Greenhouse Tomatoes
Biobest launches the Polly robot, designed to maintain crop yields when extreme heat limits bumblebee pollination activity.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Robotics
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Biobest has launched Polly, an autonomous pollination robot designed for commercial tomato growers. Developed over five years with Arugga AI Farming, the system is now available for direct purchase or 12-month lease.
Why it matters
The robot maintains pollination consistency in greenhouses where extreme heat reduces bumblebee activity, helping growers stabilize output. By automating the process, producers can hedge against environmental stressors that threaten natural pollinators.
Each Polly robot manages one hectare of greenhouse space using integrated cameras and image recognition. It maintains efficacy even as temperatures exceed 35°C, the point where bumblebee pollination activity historically declines.
The players
Biobest
A provider of greenhouse crop management solutions focusing on biological pollination and pest control.
Arugga AI Farming
A technology firm specializing in computer vision and robotics for greenhouse agriculture.
The details
The system utilizes a fully autonomous base that navigates greenhouse rows after operators position it each morning. Once in range, the robot employs image recognition to detect flowers at the optimal stage of development. Upon identification, it delivers precision air bursts, a mechanical process designed to shake the plant and stimulate the release of pollen directly onto the flower’s stigma.
Timeline
2021-2026: Development and greenhouse testing period.
October 27, 2026: Official market introduction of the Polly robot.
The Tech Race
The introduction of Polly marks a shift in greenhouse automation, moving from manual labor to sensor-driven systems that function where biological pollinators struggle. It follows years of R&D in Europe and North America to close the performance gap between automated air-burst systems and traditional hive management.
Commercial tomato growers can now acquire the system via a 12-month leasing model or direct purchase, both protected by a five-year warranty. The system is designed to replace or augment existing bumblebee hives, particularly in regions prone to extreme heat.
The takeaway
Automated pollination is moving from research trials into commercial deployment, providing a backup for high-temperature greenhouse environments. Stakeholders should monitor whether the 2% to 6% yield gains observed in pilot trials are replicated in large-scale, multi-season production.
Further reading
Explore ongoing advancements in autonomous agriculture within the Robotics sector.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Horti Daily.
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