Pear, cherry, and apple production remains a key part of Oregon's rural economy, valued at $200 million in 2022. However, the industry is facing growing challenges, including climate variability, rising input costs, labor shortages, and stricter regulatory frameworks.
Most existing orchards were not designed with automation in mind, and while labor-saving technologies are under development, widespread adoption remains limited. Addressing these challenges may require new, cross-disciplinary approaches.
Research at Oregon State University (OSU), in collaboration with Washington State University (WSU), is exploring the use of robotics and artificial intelligence to support orchard management and improve resource efficiency. Since 2018, Ashley Thompson, a fruit crops specialist with the OSU Extension Service and assistant professor in the Department of Horticulture, has worked with engineering teams to develop tools that support crop monitoring and targeted intervention.
Initial research focused on adapting tools for use in existing orchard systems, including technologies to identify disease, measure crop loads, and apply fertilizer based on specific plant needs. One project, funded between 2020 and 2023, resulted in a robotic system capable of analyzing individual apple trees and applying nitrogen fertilizer accordingly. Developed in OSU's College of Engineering, the system combines artificial intelligence with imaging technology that enables three-dimensional mapping of trees and precision application of fertilizer.
This system was tested in an orchard in Prosser, Washington. Researchers reported that the approach improved input efficiency and reduced environmental impact by targeting fertilizer application at the individual-tree level.
In 2024, the research team received further funding through OSU to expand the scope of its work. The current focus includes integrating robotic tools alongside human labor to address labor availability while supporting farm operations. Workshops and surveys are being conducted to assess how well these tools align with growers' practical needs.
The project has received input from growers and stakeholders through review sessions, with feedback being used to refine the technologies under development. Related findings have been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented in industry outlets.
While the research is ongoing, it reflects broader efforts to address systemic pressures facing Oregon's specialty crop industry. The development and testing of robotic and AI-based tools is one potential approach to improving productivity and sustainability under changing economic and environmental conditions.
For more information:
Ashley Thompson
Oregon State University
Email: [email protected]
www.extension.oregonstate.edu