Automation is already in widespread use among field crops such as wheat and other grains, with GPS-guided tractors that can till and harvest with little human interaction. But there is further to go in orchards growing apples, cherries, grapes and other high-value perennial fruits, which have labor demands throughout the seasons.
“Basically, you’re looking at a year-round need for labor,” said Ananth Kalyanaraman, a WSU computer scientist who directs AgAID, an interdisciplinary institute of research, government and industry representatives from around the Pacific Northwest. “AI can help with infusion of robotics — some level of automation, some level of robotics, working hand-in-hand with humans.”
Lav Khot, a professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering with a focus on agricultural automation, said he envisions a day when many of the human challenges of agriculture are relieved by AI-assisted technology — systems that combine information about weather, soil, plant performance and growing conditions to feed automated decision-making from central control systems operated by growers.
“The stress we used to have to grow things, I think AI can help to mitigate that stress on humans,” Khot said.
WSU is developing robotics to help farmers with everything from pruning to harvesting (photo courtesy of WSU).
