Revolutionizing Blueberry Farming: Robot-Assisted Plant Scanning for Cutting-Edge Research

By Wei Yang
Professor and Blueberry Extension Agent

The blueberry industry is currently in the midst of a significant transformation due to technological advancements, including automated irrigation and the use of aerial drones. However, it is the recent arrival of artificial intelligence (AI) that holds the potential to revolutionize the entire blueberry industry. Of particular note, robotics is positioned to reshape the future landscape of blueberry farming and packing facilities, offering the promise of efficiency, reduced labor cost, and superior fruit quality. At the forefront of this agricultural evolution is "The Better Together" project, a collaborative initiative jointly funded by OSU's College of Computer Engineering and Agriculture.

Dr. Davidson and his student using a scanning robot working in a commercial blueberry field.

"The Better Together" initiative represents an innovative research endeavor that unites computer scientists and engineers with horticulturists, aiming to digitize blueberry production. Launched in the summer of 2023, this initiative seeks to develop cutting-edge technologies that optimize machine harvesting for fresh market operations. By seamlessly integrating robotics, automation and artificial intelligence, "The Better Together" initiative aims to elevate commercial blueberry farms into high-tech, AI-driven operations.

The primary objective of this initiative is to automate labor-intensive production practices, effectively reducing the reliance on costly manual labor. This objective involves both improving existing over-the-row mechanical harvesters and pioneering the development of precision robotic pruning technology.

Additionally, the project seeks to establish a transformative digital-to-physical feedback loop. This involves harnessing state-of-the-art AI tools and virtual environments to enhance horticultural practices. The integration of in-field and digital quantitative data through advanced computer vision technology is pivotal. Notably, robot-assisted plant scanning plays a central role in this process, enabling precise measurements of plant phenology and productivity at fruit and leaf levels, which paves the way for scalable applications.

To bolster this effort, our team have started season-long data collection with robotic field scanning (as shown in photo), supplemented by machine learning. The field data will serve as the foundation for creating digital blueberry growth and pruning simulations. These simulations replicate real-world conditions with digital models, in turn, empowering the optimization of various production practices, including robot-assisted pruning and automated precision crop management. The ultimate goal is to maximize yields and fruit quality with significantly reduced labor cost.

The realization of these ambitious objectives hinges on substantial and sustained support from the blueberry industry and external funding agencies. Our interdisciplinary team assembled for this initiative boasts expertise in diverse fields, encompassing plant physiology, computer graphics, robotics, AI and blueberry field management. In addition to mitigating yield losses and enhancing fruit quality during machine harvest for fresh operations, our team is committed to harness automation, AI and advanced data collection methods in blueberry production, with an ultimate goal to propel the blueberry industry into a resilient and sustainable future for generations to come.