The lack of skilled labour for data harvesting has been the main challenge faced by farmers in recent days. As the demand for dates is rising, the agricultural sector is looking for an innovative solution for date harvesting. This research focuses on overcoming the challenges of date palm harvesting by introducing a novel automated tree climber robot. The robot’s design includes using an Arduino microcontroller, special wheels known as Mecanum wheels, and a remote controller for efficient movement of the robot in various directions. As the robot can be operated remotely, it has significantly reduced the need for manual labour and saves time. Moreover, this robot minimizes the threats associated with manual climbing, thereby reducing the risk of accidents. The framework of the robot is fabricated from lightweight aluminium, ensuring durability and stability, while three-dimensional (3D)-printed Mecanum wheels improve grip and load-carrying capacity. Real-time testing performed on different coconut trees and date palm proves its compatibility in climbing trees of different types and surfaces encompassing a circumference of up to 1 m. The successful implementation of the automated tree climber robot highlights the potential of merging artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation to tackle agricultural challenges, enhance productivity, and improve safety and sustainability.