Zorde uses artificial intelligence and robotics to revolutionize strawberry farming

In an innovative move towards sustainable agriculture, Zordi, a startup founded by Jielo Li, is using artificial intelligence and robotics to grow strawberries indoors. This initiative is not only a testimony to technological integration in agriculture, but also a step towards producing healthier and more sustainable products, he said Nvidia.

Artificial intelligence and robotics in agriculture

Founded in 2020 by Lee and Casey Call, Zordi aims to transform strawberry farming through advanced technology. The company employs two types of robots: a scout robot that monitors plant health and a harvesting robot that precisely picks strawberries. These robots are part of Zordi's hydroponic operations located in southern New Jersey and western New York.

Using NVIDIA GPUs, Zordi develops models for crop health, fruit picking, and quality assessment. These efforts aim to reduce carbon footprints by supporting regional markets with fresher, better-tasting products.

Technological progress and cooperation

Zurde has formed partnerships with greenhouse farms in New Jersey and California to meet the growing demand. The startup's use of NVIDIA's Jetson AGX Orin modules helps collect data and test models, which is critical for managing plant health, pest control, and environmental conditions.

Lee emphasizes the benefits of the Jetson's energy efficiency and its compatibility with lower-cost cameras. This technology allows Zurde to address the global labor shortage in agriculture by automating tasks traditionally done by human labor.

Innovative simulation and automation

To further enhance its operations, Zordi is exploring the use of NVIDIA's Omniverse and Isaac Sim for simulations and digital twins. These technologies will enable Zordi to optimize its agricultural operations and manage farms remotely, providing real-time visibility into plant health and operations through a spatial map dashboard.

With plans to expand into other crops such as cucumbers and tomatoes, Zordi is developing simulations of precise handling, which is crucial to extending shelf life. The company's vision is to create a fully autonomous agricultural system where AI-driven decisions and robotic automation streamline operations.

Overall, Zurdi's approach not only addresses the challenges of labor shortages, but also sets a precedent for sustainable and efficient agricultural practices, promising a future in which artificial intelligence and robotics play a pivotal role in agriculture.

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