From 2022-2023, Cornell AgriTech pursued a vigorous research agenda for digital agriculture (DA) with the goal of transforming agriculture through the development of scalable and practical innovations for farms in New York state and beyond. Through the use of new and advanced technologies that autonomously collect, integrate and transmit information, our faculty are identifying ways to more precisely and sustainably manage specialty crops.

Highlights for DA over the past year include alignment with NASA specialty crop research initiatives, using robots to modernize the grape and wine industry, partnering with seed researchers to better differentiate weeds from crops, and supporting Cornell University’s College of Agriculture Roadmap to 2050 by using DA to create more resilient food systems.

Examples of DA used for research:

  • Autonomous robots
  • Integrated satellite sensing and AI systems
  • Drones
  • Smart sensing networks
  • Imaging spectrometers (also known as hyperspectral sensors)

Using robots to modernize the grape and wine industry

Researchers at Cornell AgriTech kicked off a project to deploy Cornell-developed PhytoPatholoBots (PPB) to four grape breeding programs across the U.S. on a mission to guide the global grape and wine industry into the 21st century.

These autonomous robots will roll through vineyards, using computer vision to gather data on the physiological state of each grapevine. By combining this data with a decade of grape breeding breakthroughs, Cornell researchers are refining the PPB to allow breeders and growers to evaluate their vineyards – leaf by leaf, in real time, down to the chemical level. The project is funded by a $10 million grant from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Specialty Crops Research Initiative.

Two people and a robot in a vineyard

Using AI and big data to eliminate hunger

Can AI and big data combat hunger? Yes, with creative, collaborative thinking, says Yu Jiang. Jiang is part of a dynamic team of Cornell CALS researchers that supports CALS’ Roadmap to 2050, a strategy that is working to create a more sustainable climate and agri-food system for the 21st century and beyond.

Read more about AI for hunger

Identifying and managing weeds through digital technologies

Managing surrounding weeds early on in the growth of a crop is critical, yet often challenging. By applying fluorescent seed treatment and using digital imaging technology, growers may be able to more easily identify and manage weeds early on. Professor Alan Taylor teamed up with Yu Jiang in 2022 to deliver more precise weed management techniques to growers.