AI-based, autonomous lettuce harvester for farms

This project aims to develop an AI-based, autonomous lettuce harvester that uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer vision (CV) automate the lettuce harvesting process. The harvester will reduce the need for manual labor to two operators per acre, minimizing the impact of the issues related to manual workforce. We estimate that harvesting costs will be reduced to $4500/acre - well below the current costs of manual harvesting. Also, the robot will help increase productivity, quality and consistency of the product. Overall, the economic benefits are estimated at $3,000 per acre per harvesting cycle. This would represent increased profits of $2.4 million per lettuce farm per year.Padma AgRobotics is proposing the development of an AI-based agricultural robot that fully automates head lettuce harvesting. The robot integrates all required subsystems for cutting, analyzing, classifying, trimming, and packaging lettuces. The objective of this SBIR Phase I project is to research and develop the optimal AI models needed to identify and classify the lettuce head. To our knowledge, no such system exists in the market, despite the growing need, representing a high-risk endeavor. This proposal addresses the Topic Area 8.13 "Plant Production and Protection (Engineering)", specifically its Research Priority"Improved Crop Production Methods or Strategies", and its topics:"Technologies that enhance commercial horticulture production","Production, harvesting, and postharvest handling of specialty crops", and"Cyber-physical systems to support precision agriculture".