Chinese scientists have pioneered a groundbreaking advancement in agricultural technology with the development of GEAIR, the world's first fully automated plant-breeding robot. This innovation, led by the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, integrates artificial intelligence and biotechnology to revolutionize crop cultivation.
GEAIR operates in greenhouse environments, using AI visual recognition to identify flowers and execute precise hybrid pollination with robotic arms. The system addresses labor-intensive challenges in traditional hybrid breeding by automating repetitive cross-pollination tasks, potentially accelerating crop development cycles through speed-breeding techniques.
"This marks a paradigm shift from experience-driven agriculture to data-driven precision farming," said IGDB researcher Xu Cao. The technology aims to enhance food security by improving crop yields while reducing resource consumption, aligning with global sustainable development goals.
Published in the journal Cell, the research demonstrates how GEAIR's closed-loop system combines AI decision-making with robotic labor. The development positions China at the forefront of intelligent agricultural innovation, offering potential applications for addressing climate challenges and optimizing global food production systems.
