J. Balendonck

Papers

Total Citations

437

H-Index

About

J. Balendonck is a leading researcher in agricultural robotics and precision farming, with a primary focus on developing autonomous systems for greenhouse and field cultivation. His most impactful contribution is the development of SWEEPER, a sweet pepper harvesting robot detailed in a 2020 paper that has garnered 432 citations. This work addresses one of horticulture’s toughest challenges—selective fruit harvesting in complex greenhouse environments—by integrating a six-degree-of-freedom industrial arm, a custom end-effector, and RGB-D vision. Balendonck’s research advances the role of robotics in greenhouse cultivation, tackling tasks from harvesting to crop monitoring, as outlined in his 2024 chapter. Earlier, he pioneered the CROPSCOUT mini field robot (2004), an experimental platform for precision agriculture that demonstrated autonomous navigation in maize fields. His work bridges engineering and agronomy, offering practical solutions for labor-intensive crop production. With a career spanning two decades, Balendonck’s innovations have shaped the trajectory of agricultural robotics, making him a key figure for students and researchers exploring automation in sustainable food production.