Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have been transforming the controlled environment agriculture (CEA) sector, significantly improving efficiency, productivity, and cost-effectiveness. The integration of these technologies has resulted in a new era of indoor and vertical farming, with companies like Artechno Growsystems and AppHarvest providing fully autonomous plant factories. In addition, AI-powered systems in agriculture have revolutionized the food supply chain, improving the growing environment and automating tasks such as planting, harvesting, and packaging.
However, despite the potential benefits, several challenges must be overcome for CEA to continue its growth trajectory. These include high costs, an evolving regulatory environment, concerns about job loss, and rising energy costs. Nevertheless, innovations in AI and robotics are emerging that could further automate the growing process, making even unprofitable crops profitable. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgency to automate repetitive tasks and secure food production, and AI and robotics have the potential to play a critical role in achieving this goal.
In particular, vision technology will significantly enhance plant quality and uniformity and trim down costs for unprofitable crops. This technology can monitor and track the growth of plants in real time, providing insight into the conditions they need to thrive. Additionally, AI algorithms can optimize the growing environment, ensuring that plants receive the right light, water, and nutrients, leading to higher yields and better quality produce.
However, the incremental cost of acquiring robotics and automation technologies is a significant challenge, as well as the evolving regulatory environment for agriculture and robotics. The regulatory environment can be complex, with different rules and regulations governing the use of AI and robotics in agriculture in other countries. In addition, the high cost of these technologies means that many smaller farmers may not be able to adopt them, putting them at a disadvantage in the global food market.
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Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
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