China unveils world’s first AI robot for full-process crop breeding

Chinese researchers have unveiled the world’s first robot capable of performing full-process crop breeding, showcasting a sophisticated integration of biotechnology and artificial intelligence in agriculture. 

This AI-powered robot is designed to transform breeding from a largely experience-driven practice into a precision-driven approach, according to  Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS. The study detailing its development was published by the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology (IGDB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

In practice, the robot can identify flowers with visual AI recognition and perform delicate hybrid pollination using its robotic arms, moving efficiently among plants to complete the entire breeding process. This level of automation enables precise and consistent cross-pollination, reducing the reliance on labour-intensive and repetitive manual operations.

Researchers emphasised that traditional breeding methods are slow and time-consuming, but the new robot can utilise modern techniques, such as speed-breeding, to rapidly produce customised superior varieties, offering the potential to boost efficiency, reduce costs, and accelerate the development of climate-resilient crops.

Photo: Worayuth Kamonsuwan /  iStock