In a pioneering move that could redefine the agricultural landscape in Japan, AI-based robots are taking center stage on large-scale farms. Faced with severe manpower shortages, producers are turning to innovative solutions that promise to revolutionize the way crops are cultivated and harvested.
Venture businesses are at the forefront of this technological wave, introducing AI-equipped robots capable of performing labor-intensive tasks with precision and efficiency. The keyword, “AI-based robots,” encapsulates the crux of this transformative journey unfolding in Japanese agriculture.
AI-based robots in greenhouse farming
In the lush green fields of Hanyu, Saitama Prefecture, a groundbreaking experiment is underway. Takamiya No Aisai, a farm operated by a subsidiary of Takamiya Co., has taken the lead in deploying AI-based robots to harvest cucumbers. Developed by startup Agrist Inc., the four-wheeled robot navigates through plastic greenhouses, carefully identifying and harvesting only the ripest cucumbers.
Takeshi Yoshida, the head of Takamiya No Aisai, expresses optimism about the robot’s accuracy, addressing concerns about potential damage to cucumber stems. Agrist’s robot, equipped with a camera and AI, analyzes images to determine the optimal harvesting time, showcasing the potential of technology to alleviate labor shortages in agriculture.
AI in international agriculture
The seamless incorporation of artificial intelligence into the realm of agriculture transcends the confines of Japan, as exemplified by Inaho Inc., a pioneering agricultural venture hailing from Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. In a groundbreaking venture, Inaho has orchestrated the leasing of an AI-endowed robot to a farm situated in the Netherlands. This cutting-edge automaton boasts a remarkable versatility, showcasing its ability to independently harvest cherry tomatoes either in clusters or individually, thereby adapting to a diverse array of harvesting methodologies.
Soya Oyama, the astute Chief Operating Officer at Inaho, underscores the imperative nature of such technological interventions in mitigating the pervasive challenge of global labor shortages within the agricultural sector. Fueled by a visionary ambition, Inaho is fervently committed to exporting its intelligent agricultural solutions on a global scale, with a strategic intent to elevate Japan as the epicenter of AI-driven farming innovations.
The tactical blueprint devised by Inaho encompasses a sophisticated interplay between man and machine, wherein nocturnal harvesting operations are entrusted to the robotic workforce, while diurnal counterparts see the active participation of human harvesters. This nuanced approach underscores Inaho’s profound comprehension of the intricacies inherent in the realm of crop harvesting, positioning the company as a trailblazer in the pursuit of innovative and harmonized agricultural practices.
Open-field cultivation and beyond
As Japan embraces AI-based robots in greenhouse cultivation, Takanori Fukao, a professor of robotics at the University of Tokyo, envisions a broader horizon. While the current focus is on greenhouse farming, Fukao predicts a gradual shift towards open-field cultivation. This evolution, he suggests, would require farms to proactively plan the placement of crops, highlighting the need for a holistic approach to fully harness the potential of robotics in agriculture.
With startups like Inaho already eyeing the global market, the future of Japanese farming appears intricately linked with the seamless integration of AI-based technologies. As Japanese farms pioneer the use of AI-based robots, one wonders: Will this technological leap pave the way for a new era in global agriculture, transcending boundaries and reshaping the future of food production?
