The Aspastore asparagus harvesting robot from Neubauer Automation was used for the first time by customers in Germany and the Netherlands in the 2025 season, with impressive results. The automation solution not only enables more efficient processing but also provides relief in an increasingly tight labor market.
"The feedback from our first customers has been encouraging," reports Felix Neubauer from Neubauer Automation. "In one company, it has already been internally described as the 'best employee' on several occasions," smiles Neubauer. "This shows us that the investment in development and optimization has paid off."
© Neubauer Automation GmbH
Want to see the Aspastore in action? Click here for the video.
Originally presented as a prototype at expoSE 2023, the Aspastore was further developed and intensively tested in the field during the 2024 season. The results led to series production. The first models were delivered to customers just in time for the 2025 asparagus season. The machine impressed with its efficiency in use: the robot fills up to 800 kg of sorted asparagus into crates per hour, replacing around three workers.
© Neubauer Automation GmbH
The Aspatore
"We don't see the Aspastore as a replacement for people, but as a response to the growing shortage of skilled workers," emphasizes Neubauer. The technology also proved itself in continuous operation. Minor challenges, such as improving the user interface or fine-tuning communication with the Espaso sorting machine, were quickly resolved. "Our software has been updated to make it even more intuitive to use. In addition, integration with the Espaso system has been further optimized."
© FreshPlaza
The Neubauer team at expoSE 2024, with Felix Neubauer (2nd from left)
Interest in the technology is growing noticeably: during the 2025 season, numerous asparagus producers came to see the Aspastore in live operation. The first orders for the 2026 season have already been placed.
But at Neubauer Automation, they are not resting on the success of the Aspastore. "At this year's expoSE in Karlsruhe, we will be presenting another world first: the Aspaload," announces Neubauer. This fully automatic loading robot takes over a task that was previously performed exclusively by hand: placing the asparagus spears on the sorting belt.
© Neubauer Automation GmbH
Neubauer will be presenting another world first at this year's expoSE in Karlsruhe: the Aspaload
"The way it works is as sophisticated as it is innovative: field crates of asparagus are placed on a conveyor belt, a camera records the fill level and calculates the optimal gripping position. The Aspaload then lifts the spears out and places them precisely on the loading belt of our Espaso sorting machine," explains Neubauer. Empty crates are then automatically provided.
With the Aspastore and now also the Aspaload, Neubauer Automation is demonstrating how modern robotics can be used in a targeted manner in agriculture.
Visit Neubauer Automation at expoSE 2025 in Karlsruhe, Hall 2, Stand K15.
For more information:
Felix Neubauer
Neubauer Automation
Am Bierbäumchen 12
59514 Welver
Phone: +49 (0) 2384 920220
[email protected]
www.neubauer-automation.com
