Compact S9000 · photo pending manufacturer approval

Harvesting · AI-assisted

Compact S9000

AvL Motion · Netherlands

Dutch selective white-asparagus harvesting robot from AvL Motion (Westerbeek, NL) — a diesel-electric, self-propelled platform that uses optical RGB/AI plus underground spear detection across 12 rotating harvest modules to locate and cut ripe stalks in the row. Vendor marketing repeatedly calls it "autonomous", but the manufacturer's own spec table and FAQ both confirm one operator must be present in the field to direct the robot via remote control and collect the harvested spears — so it is classified here as assisted, not autonomous. Second- generation model, in commercial development since 2017 and launched 2021; the manufacturer's own product page is live and actively soliciting demo requests as of July 2026.

Available in: Netherlands · Germany

At a glance

Best for

White-asparagus growers farming above the manufacturer's own stated profitability threshold (roughly 10 ha) who want to cut peak-season hand-picking labour while keeping one on-site operator directing the robot through each row.

Avoid if

You want a harvester that runs unsupervised — despite "autonomous" language in AvL Motion's marketing, the manufacturer's own spec sheet and FAQ both state a single operator must be present in the field, directing the robot by remote control and collecting the cut spears.

Not suitable for

Any crop other than white asparagus; farms below roughly 10 ha, which the manufacturer states is where the robot becomes profitable; buyers who need a published price — AvL Motion discloses no price or price range.

Specifications

Power sourceDiesel-electric — 25 kW 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine (Stage 5) driving a 20 kVA electric power-distribution system; the manufacturer states the harvest mechanism itself runs fully on electricity (no hydraulics) and is "hybrid-ready"

Required tractor powerNot applicable — self-propelled platform, no tractor required

Dimensions6 m long x 2.36 m wide x 2.93 m tall; turning radius 4.5 m

Weight4,500 kg operational weight (manufacturer spec table)

Min farm sizeManufacturer states the robot is "on average profitable from 10 hectares"; single-unit field capacity is 15 ha total

ProductivityUp to 9,000 stalks/hour harvesting rate; field capacity 5 ha/day, 15 ha total per unit (each bed harvested roughly every 3 days)

Max speed3.6 km/h (1 m/s), both travel and harvesting

SensorsOptical RGB combined with AI, plus underground/subsurface spear detection

ConnectivityRemote live-stream monitoring and remote login for diagnostics, per manufacturer

Compatible tools12 rotating harvesting modules, approx. 0.6-second harvest cycle per spear, cuts stalks 250-400 mm in length; a module can be swapped in about 5 minutes and a blade changed in under 1 minute

Configurations

Price & ROI

Price (EUR)Not disclosed

Native priceNot disclosed

Price verifiedNot disclosed

Business modelDirect sale from AvL Motion (Westerbeek, NL); price on request, not published on the manufacturer's site or found in independent coverage. Belgium/Luxembourg availability was claimed in early-2023 third-party listings but is not confirmed at the manufacturer, so it is not listed here. One operator must be present in the field to direct the robot via remote control and collect harvested spears; the robot itself autonomously navigates the bed and executes harvesting once directed.

Ongoing costNot disclosed — no published service or subscription costs found on the manufacturer's site.

MaintenanceManufacturer states a cutting module can be exchanged in about 5 minutes and a blade replaced in under 1 minute; remote login and live-stream monitoring are offered for troubleshooting. No published warranty terms found.

Payback modelCompact S9000 · AvL Motion

No manufacturer payback figure is published for this machine. The model below uses only your inputs.

Your farm

Farm figures carry across machines; the per-machine rates reset when you open a different listing.

Your result · per year

Labour saved

Inputs saved

Total saved

Payback = machine price ÷ (labour + input savings per year). Every figure above is yours to change. FX is indicative.

Verified outcomes

Each result is a before-to-after figure with a time horizon and a cited source. Independently-verified results are marked separately from vendor-claimed ones.

No verified outcomes are on file for this machine yet. We publish figures only once a source is attached.

EU context

CE markingNot disclosed — no CE-marking statement found on the manufacturer's site or in independent coverage

EU Machinery RegulationNot disclosed — no explicit compliance statement found; the autonomous-navigation/remote-operated cutting functions would fall under Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 if placed on the EU market

AI Act relevanceLikely limited-risk — onboard computer vision (RGB/AI) used for spear detection and harvest guidance; no official risk classification published by the manufacturer

CAP subsidyHarvest automation — not directly tied to CAP eco-schemes

Get it

Verified EU dealers

Request a quote →

Quotes route only to dealers we have confirmed carry this machine in the EU.

Evidence

Sources

Specifications cross-checked against manufacturer documentation; listing last verified 2026-07-19.

Demo

Demo video on fileManufacturer-hosted · last checked 2026-07-19

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