A conceptual proposal for self-propelled açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) harvesters for the Amazon Region

Abstract

Production of the açai fruit is mainly accomplished through manual collection; but there is a strong trend towards the implementation of commercial crops. Fruit harvesting is carried out exclusively by climbers who risk injury to themselves, besides not being very efficient at harvesting. The aim of this study was to produce design concepts for self-propelled açai harvesters for dry-land forest environments, floodplain forest environments and commercial crops. To this end we used the design methodology of a morphological matrix. The results obtained were the design concepts for the following new harvesters: an açai harvester for native floodplain forests in the wet season; a harvester for both dry-land and native floodplain forests in the dry season; a harvester for commercial crops.