A Dual-Shear Ring End-Effector for Autonomous Pomegranate Harvesting

Pomegranate harvesting remains a challenging task due to the fruit's tough stem, dense canopy, and sensitivity to mechanical damage. Traditional harvesting robots rely on vision-based stem localization, which increases computational complexity and reduces robustness in unstructured orchard environments. This paper presents a dual-shear ring end-effector designed to eliminate the need for precise stem detection, utilizing a self-locking shear mechanism that allows the stem to naturally align between the cutting blades. The system integrates a vision-assisted robotic manipulator for fruit detection and a torque regulation mechanism for optimized cutting force application. Experimental validation demonstrates a success rate of over 90% for stems up to 8 mm in diameter and robust performance even under partial and full occlusion conditions. The results confirm that the proposed system achieves efficient, adaptable, and damage-free harvesting, providing a viable solution for autonomous pomegranate harvesting.