NEW · ROBOTIC POLLINATION FOR TOMATOES
Meet Polly. The answer to your pollination challenges.
The autonomous pollination robot that works alongside your bumblebees, and keeps pollinating when conditions make it hard for them.
bumblebees
YOUR POLLINATION INSURANCE
When bumblebees struggle, Polly keeps going
Bumblebees remain the best tomato pollinators. But in some periods of the season their flight activity drops, and so does pollination. That's exactly when Polly makes the difference.
Dark winter periods
Short days leave only a small pollination window, and bumblebees struggle to navigate under the LED light spectrum. In the darkest weeks, flight activity and pollination can drop.
POLLY POLLINATES ON DARK DAYS, UNDER ANY TYPE OF LIGHT
Hot summers
Above 32°C bumblebees spend part of their time ventilating the hive, and above 35°C they mostly stop flying. Heat also shortens the lifespan of the colony.
POLLY KEEPS POLLINATING IN HIGH TEMPERATURES
Energy saving
Thermal screens block the little UV light left in winter that bumblebees use to navigate, and the LED spectrum isn't ideal for them either. Pollination can suffer as a result.
POLLY POLLINATES IN POOR UV AND LED LIGHT CONDITIONS
TECHNOLOGY
Buzz pollination,
replicated
Polly uses cameras and AI-based computer vision to find flowers that are ready, then releases their pollen with calibrated air pulses. No hives, no delays.
1. Detect
Cameras and sensors recognise which flowers are ready for pollination.
2. Pollinate
Mechanical arms and nozzles apply a calibrated air pulse to each selected flower.
3. Measure
While pollinating, Polly collects greenhouse data so you can follow your crop in real time.
READY FOR EVERY GREENHOUSE
Two milestones that change everything
The latest version of Polly makes robotic pollination practical for almost every greenhouse operation.
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1/ha ROBOT
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Faster than everOne robot now pollinates a full hectare. Polly visits every row every other day, so every flower gets its air pulse every two days. |
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Auto ROW SWITCH
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Autonomous row switchingPush Polly into the first row in the morning. It navigates to all other rows by itself and returns to its base at the end of the day. |
INCLUDED: THE POLLY APP
Every pollination run is a data run
Polly records what it sees while it works. You get free access to plant-level data in the app.
| ✓ | Average number of flowers per row |
| ✓ | Pollinated rows per day |
| ✓ | Height of the highest truss |
| ✓ | Additional statistics on demand |
PROVEN IN COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSES
Tested across the globe, season after season
In every trial, Polly working alongside bumblebees was compared with bumblebees alone, in summer, in winter and under heat or disease pressure.
All yield improvements compare Polly (robot + bumblebees) with a bumblebees-only control. Source: Arugga AI Farming trial reports 2023–2025.
Download the case studies (PDF)TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Polly at a glance
Size
| Length | 185 cm |
| Width | 98 cm |
| Height retracted | 192 cm |
| Height extended | 421 cm |
Power
| Battery duration | up to 10 h |
| Charging time | 8–10 h daily |
| Power consumption | 2 kWh per day |
| Rails | existing pipe rails |
Service level
| First contact response | within 1 h |
| Problem solved | within 24 h |
| Warranty | see lease or buy |
TWO WAYS TO GET STARTED
Lease or buy, you choose
Both options come with full warranty: maintenance, support and spare parts.
OUR PARTNERSHIP
Six years of development, tested by Biobest
Biobest has worked with Arugga for six years to perfect the technology and make sure it meets the needs of growers. After our own trials in 2025, at a grower and at a trial station in Belgium, we believe Polly is ready to help you achieve higher yields throughout the year.
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After our own trials in 2025, we believe the robot is ready to help growers achieve higher yields throughout the year.
Biobest
QUESTIONS
Frequently asked
Can't find your answer? Your Biobest advisor is happy to help.
Does Polly replace my bumblebees?
No. Polly works alongside your bumblebees. All trial results compare Polly plus bumblebees with bumblebees alone.
Do I need extra infrastructure?
Polly runs on existing pipe rails, so no extra rail infrastructure is needed.
How many robots do I need?
One Polly robot can pollinate up to one hectare.
How long does the battery last?
Polly has a battery duration of up to 10 hours and charges for 8–10 hours daily.
What happens if something goes wrong?
The Arugga support team aims to respond within one hour and resolve problems within 24 hours.
Can I try Polly before committing for a full year?
Yes. Our 3-9-12 leasing scheme allows you to start with three months before committing to a longer period.
GET IN TOUCH
Interested to try out the future of tomato pollination?
Leave your details and your local Biobest advisor will contact you to discuss your greenhouse, the lease and buy options and a possible start date.