Using YOLOv3 Algorithm with Pre- and Post-Processing for Apple Detection in Fruit-Harvesting Robot

A machine vision system for detecting apples in orchards was developed. The system was designed to be used in harvesting robots and is based on a YOLOv3 algorithm with special pre- and post-processing. The proposed pre- and post-processing techniques made it possible to adapt the YOLOv3 algorithm to be used in an apple-harvesting robot machine vision system, providing an average apple detection time of 19 ms with a share of objects being mistaken for apples at 7.8% and a share of unrecognized apples at 9.2%. Both the average detection time and error rates are less than in all known similar systems. The system can operate not only in apple-harvesting robots but also in orange-harvesting robots.