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> so they would have to push leaves out of the way to tell visually via color if they were ripe

That's also what people do, seems to work OK (I grew up in Florida and did lots of u-pick strawberries).

Agreed. But since the article mentions the current system not being able to detect strawberries behind leaves, they'd have to adapt it to one, detect a strawberry behind foliage, two determine readiness for picking.

So, yes, moving leaves and color works for people, but is that also the best method for an automated mechanical system?

Don't know about best, but it could work. I'd easily imagine some horribly spider like appendage expertly pushing leaves aside and sticking a little camera in there, probing for them little berries.

Or blow some air on the plants, rustling the leaves, sensors picking up any red between the green then going in to pick the strawberry.

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