603326 A system (see 100, figure 10) for the pick-up and delivery of objects (202), such as plant embryo, comprises a pick-up assembly (see 102, figure 10) which includes a robotic arm (see 112, figure 10), a pick-up device (see 114, figure 10) rotatably mounted on the robotic arm, and a vacuum pressure supply port (see 316, figure 3) operably connected to the pick-up device. The system further comprises a separate delivery assembly (see 104, figure 10) which includes an insertion device (see 502, figure 5) moveable between a first position (see figure 1) and a second position (see figure 10). The insertion device comprises a tubular insertion member (512) having a tip, with a notched opening (604), and a release assistance piston (514) arranged inside the insertion member. The release assistance piston has a proximal end and a distal end moveable between an extended position (see figure 14) and a retracted position (see figure 12). The proximal end of the release assistance piston is substantially flush with the end of the insertion member when the release assistance rod is in the extended position. In use the pick-up device picks up the object using vacuum pressure, at the tip (302) of the pick up device, and places the object in proximity to a receptacle (110). The tubular insertion member is inserted over the object with the notched opening of the tubular insertion member surrounding the tip of the pick-up device, thereby trapping the object (see figure 12). The object is released into the receptacle by removing the vacuum pressure on the pick-up device. The release assistance piston may additionally also be moved into the extended position to push the object out of the tubular insertion member (see figure 14). This arrangement provides accurate placement of object and reduces sticking of objects to pick-up devices.
