Robothinner (Tic, Tac, and Toe) by Finite Robotics

Technology Overview

• Latest revision : 10/1/2026
• Commercial release date : June 2026
• Application : Getting to target fruit load weeks earlier, with higher labor efficiency. @

Commercialisation Overview

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL) : 8-9: System Test, Deployment & Operations
• Units in Service - Global : 3
• Business model : RaaS (Robot as a service)
• Price : Price per acre OR price per 1000 removals
• Ongoing Costs : Provided as an all-in service cost.

Market Coverage, Distributors and Service Suppliers

• Countries or markets addressed :

  Current: Canada
  Short-term: USA, Chile, New Zealand
  Current: Apples and pears.

Performance & Economic Impact

• Estimated ROI :

  Immediate. Pricing is below the comparable labor rate, with incremental yield and packout benefits for the grower from earlier thinning completion.

• Phytosanitary Product Savings :

  Increased labor efficiency. Working to quantify exact range.

• Yield Improvement :

  Yield and packout improvement due to getting to crop load count earlier. Working to quantify exact range.

Technical specifications

• Type of solution : Mechanical harvester, Other
• Power source : Solar with gasoline backup.
• Required Tractor Power : Currently self-propelled and autonomous.
• Size :
  • Metric: 200 x 180 x 300 cm
  • Imperial: 79 x 71 x 118 inches
• Net weight : 1,000 kg | 2,200 lbs
• Min Farm Size (In hectares) : 4 hectares | 9.9 acres
• Productivity : Orchard dependent
• Maximum operating speed : 4 km/hr | 2.5 mph
• Wheel spacing : Fixed – 1.7 m | 5.8 ft
• Horse power : N/A

Functionalities and technologies

• Core Functionality : Finite's robothinner thins fruitlets based on the grower's target - both on total fruit count and on the logic of how to ideally distribute fruit throughout the canopy (e.g. thin to doubles for bitter pit reduction, thin to kings, etc.)
• Software : GPS and vision are built in.
• Connectivity : The robots have integrated Starlink.
• Compatible Tools : The robothinners are provided as a standalone service. There is not a current focus on adding other functions (e.g. tilling, weeding).

Development Roadmap

• Next phase : Three robots were built for 2026, and were deployed across 14 different orchards. Currently refining the design for the 2027 season, where the focus will be in determining average acre/day performance and quantifying the yield and packout benefits to growers for earlier thinning.

Additional resources