Science

Judi Lynn

(160,542 posts) Tue Oct 9, 2018, 09:55 PM Oct 2018

America's first robot farm replaces humans with 'incredibly intelligent' machines

Iron Ox, based in California, aims to improve labor shortages and pressure to produce crops by using AI and heavy machinery

Noah Smith in Los Angeles
@_noahble
Tue 9 Oct 2018 01.00 EDT

America’s first autonomous robot farm launched last week, in the hopes that artificial intelligence (AI) can remake an industry facing a serious labor shortage and pressure to produce more crops.

Claiming an ability to “grow 30 times more produce than traditional farms” on the strength of AI software, year-round, soilless hydroponic processes, and moving plants as they grow to efficiently use space, the San Carlos, California-based company Iron Ox aims to address some of the agricultural industry’s biggest challenges.

Such challenges have also caught the attention of investors, who made more than $10bn in investments last year, representing a 29% increase from 2016.

In a 2,000-sq ft grow space, leafy greens and herbs are planted in individual pots housed in 4ft by 8ft white “grow modules”, which weigh about 800lb.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/08/robot-farm-iron-ox-california

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America's first robot farm replaces humans with 'incredibly intelligent' machines (Original Post) Judi Lynn Oct 2018 OP

It makes sense in some circumstances but for some its probably not going to be very economical. cstanleytech Oct 2018 #1

cstanleytech

(26,293 posts)

1. It makes sense in some circumstances but for some its probably not going to be very economical.

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Tue Oct 9, 2018, 10:23 PM

Oct 2018

The same goes for robots in the food and retail industry as its going to make sense to use them in some circumstances but not all of them and for some retailers it would be a mistake to try and entirely replace humans with robots as some shoppers will want interaction with humans and not robots.
As for fast food I think robots will probably be restricted to niche locations like large cities such as Tokyo where retail space is at a premium but you will not see them used to much at more rural locations because if the robot breaks down getting a tech to come out and repair it could take hours and cost a ton.

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