Too bad - I think they might have done something more humane, rather than pop out a job-loss solution via tech. How smart is that? Until the earth, esp the US, comes up with a solution for diminishing the importance and need of work and money-making ventures, we might reconsider the value of replacing those with robots! For the convenience and bottom line of corporations. Is there another value to this?

I like the idea. This does away with work Americans do not want to do. We can now focus on "diminishing the need for work and money-making ventures" and make every thing free.

@Beth
There are two sides of the equation here. This will make fresh produce more accessible and cheaper. When produce prices fall, more families can afford fresh fruit in their diet. The government can buy more fresh fruit for school lunches instead of unhealthy processed foods.

Farmers no longer have to send their over-ripened fruit to become processed food either. Farmers will also have a larger crop they can sell directly to customers via farmer's markets.

This also helps family farms survive as they are less likely to have a ready supply of labor around for harvesting. Instead, they can choose to expand their farming operations because they know they will be able to harvest when the time comes.

@ Beth, Atherton: Where are you going to find the workers? Americans won't pick apples. And, you going to pay $15/hr.?? Maybe the welfare roles could be used. Collect public assist. and no major medical problem, then they can pick apples or any other foot item.