Research Center for Agricultural Robotics (RCAR) aims to contribute to the early realization of "Society 5.0" in the field of agricultural and food industry by applying state-of-the-art robotics and system integration technologies. To build data-driven smart agricultural systems based on crop growth status and environmental information, we will develop technologies related to "sensing", "action planning by AI" and "actuation by smart agricultural machinery and robots" as the core technologies of the system.
RCAR News
Development of an optimal harvest date prediction and control technology for just-in-time production of strawberries
The National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) has developed a technology to accurately predict and control the harvest date for the realization of just-in-time (JIT) production of strawberries, one of the greenhouse vegetables with a large market scale, and verified it in an artificial climate chamber. This innovative technology will serve as a foundation for next-generation agricultural production, enabling producers to accurately and precisely adjust the harvest period based on trends in crop demand and to plan shipments. In the future, we will demonstrate the harvest time adjustment technology at production sites such as greenhouses and verify the improvement of income of strawberry farmers. Read more
Development of 3D technology for measuring plant body surface temperature
National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) has developed a technology that visualizes the temperature distribution on the surface of a plant in 3D with high accuracy. It is now possible to create a three-dimensional image that integrates the complex shape, color, and surface temperature of a plant by means of superimposing the 3D image of the temperature distribution and the 3D image of the visible image. This will contribute to the establishment of a technology for precisely quantifying physiological responses of plants, such as those associated with temperature changes. In the future, it is also expected that this technology will be applied as a basic technology to the early detection technology of environmental stress and disease of agricultural products. Read more
Development of a growth sensing system for just-in-time production of strawberries
The National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO) has developed a growth sensing system that automatically collects the strawberry growth information for the realization of just-in-time (JIT) production of strawberries. By means of combining this system with growth control technology that utilizes growth models and AI, it will be eventually possible to control the harvest date of strawberries with high accuracy. In the future, it is expected that the income of strawberry farmers will increase by precisely matching the time when the demand for strawberries is high with the peak shipment. Read more
