IUNU, Wageningen Research partnering on closed-loop autonomous growing

Per a press release, Stichting Wageningen Research, research institute Wageningen Plant Research (WPR) and IUNU have entered into an agreement to work on closed-loop autonomous growing for the most common commercially grown lettuce varietals.

The release states that this “is the world’s first closed-loop, comprehensive autonomous growing solution developed for the greenhouse industry."

The solution, developed by IUNU, uses computer vision to comprehensively monitor crop growth for every plant in the greenhouse and autonomously executes crop strategies based on how crops are performing.

“WPR has long served as a leader in the horticulture industry and we are thrilled to work together to bring truly autonomous growing to the greenhouse industry. Having exclusive access to world-class research facilities and talent accelerates our ability to bring products to market and to drive value for growers around the world,” said Allison Kopf, chief growth officer at IUNU, per the release.

IUNU has installed its computer vision system at WPR facilities in Bleiswijk in both traditional and semi-closed greenhouse compartments with both Moving Gully Systems (MGS) as well as Deep Water Culture (DWC) pond systems. IUNU intends to bring this solution first to commercial lettuce growers, then to high wire crops.