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Xavier Parkhouse-Parker has been named CEO of AutoPickr, a company focused on a multi-crop autonomous harvesting system. AutoPickr's 'Gus' platform has been tested on crops like asparagus and vineyards, designed for reliability in harvest periods.

The agricultural robotics market is expected to grow significantly, reflecting a shift towards practical deployment. The company is moving from R&D to commercial execution, supported by successful field trials and agreements with growers. The asparagus season starting in mid-April will be critical for testing the system's effectiveness in real-world conditions, as 40% of growers face crop losses due to labor shortages.