Biobest has introduced the commercial version of Polly, an autonomous pollination robot developed in collaboration with Arugga AI Farming for professional tomato greenhouse operations. Announced on October 27, 2026, the market introduction follows several years of technological development and trials conducted in commercial greenhouses across Europe and North America. The system uses cameras and AI-based image recognition to identify tomato flowers ready for pollination, delivering precisely controlled air pulses to release pollen and support fruit development. Rather than replacing natural pollination entirely, Polly is primarily designed to operate alongside bumblebees, maintaining pollination activity when environmental conditions reduce their effectiveness.
The latest configuration introduces significant improvements in operating capacity and autonomy. According to Biobest, a single robot can now cover approximately one hectare, moving automatically between greenhouse rows after being positioned at the beginning of its daily operation. The system operates on existing greenhouse pipe rails and offers up to ten hours of battery life. Its principal applications include periods of limited natural light, intensive artificial lighting and high temperatures, when bumblebee activity can decline. Trials conducted by the development partners reported yield improvements ranging from 2% to 6% when robotic pollination supplemented conventional bumblebee pollination, although actual results will depend on greenhouse conditions and crop management.
The commercial introduction also establishes a more structured route to market for robotic pollination technology. Biobest is offering Polly through a 12-month leasing programme that includes maintenance, technical assistance and replacement parts, alongside a direct purchase option with a five-year warranty. This approach combines Arugga’s robotics capabilities with Biobest’s established relationships in greenhouse crop protection and pollination services. Beyond the immediate application, the initiative illustrates how specialised agricultural robotics companies can accelerate commercial adoption through partnerships with established suppliers rather than relying exclusively on direct equipment sales.
Bottom Line
Polly’s commercial introduction represents another step in the transition of agricultural robotics from experimental deployment to specialised, service-supported applications. Its significance lies not only in automating a biological process but also in combining measurable operational capabilities, established distribution channels and flexible commercial models. For high-value greenhouse production, this approach could strengthen the business case for targeted automation where even relatively small productivity improvements can justify investment.
To dive deeper: https://www.biobest.com/de/polly-pollination-robot
