Techniques for construction and operation of a programmable product picking apparatus are described herein. Such an apparatus picks up product according to a first spacing (e.g., from a conveyor) and releases the product according to a second spacing (e.g., into a carton). In one possible configuration, a fixed matrix plate defines at least first and second rows of slots. Two movable matrix plates, one that moves right-then-left and one that moves left-then-right, move in opposite directions parallel to the fixed matrix plate according to strokes of pneumatic cylinders. Each of a plurality of product pickers is driven by one of the two movable matrix plates. As that plate moves, the product picker is also moved according to a slot defined in the movable matrix plate. Each product picker comes to a stop when it reaches an end of a slot defined in the fixed matrix plate.