This project aims to develop an AI-based, autonomous lettuce harvester that uses artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision (CV) automate the lettuce harvesting process

Padma Agrobotics LLC received a $174,534 Phase I award under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program (CFDA 10.212), administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based autonomous lettuce harvester incorporating computer vision and advanced AI modeling capabilities. The project, which commenced on August 15, 2025, and is scheduled for completion on April 14, 2026, focuses on researching and developing optimal AI models to identify, classify, cut, trim, and package lettuce heads automatically. This innovative system represents a high-risk, high-reward endeavor to address critical labor shortages in specialty crop harvesting by integrating cutting-edge cyber-physical systems and precision agriculture technologies.

The proposed autonomous harvester aims to reduce manual harvesting costs to approximately $4,500 per acre while generating estimated economic benefits of $3,000 per acre per harvesting cycle, potentially yielding $2.4 million in additional annual profits per lettuce farm. The technology aligns with NIFA's strategic focus on transforming scientific discoveries into commercially viable agricultural solutions, specifically addressing Topic Area 8.13 (Plant Production and Protection Engineering) and its priority areas for improved crop production methods and enhanced commercial horticulture production. Upon successful completion of this Phase I project, Padma Agrobotics may be eligible to pursue Phase II funding for continued research, development, and commercialization of the lettuce harvesting automation technology.

The harvester will reduce the need for manual labor to two operators per acre, minimizing the impact of the issues related to manual workforce. We estimate that harvesting costs will be reduced to $4500/acre - well below the current costs of manual harvesting. Also, the robot will help increase productivity, quality and consistency of the product. Overall, the economic benefits are estimated at $3,000 per acre per harvesting cycle. This would represent increased profits of $2.4 million per lettuce farm per year.padma agrobotics is proposing the development of an AI-based agricultural robot that fully automates head lettuce harvesting. The robot integrates all required subsystems for cutting, analyzing, classifying, trimming, and packaging lettuces. The objective of this sbir phase i project is to research and develop the optimal AI models needed to identify and classify the lettuce head. To our knowledge, no such system exists in the market, despite the growing need, representing a high-risk endeavor. This proposal addresses the topic area 8.13 plant production and protection (engineering), specifically its research priorityimproved crop production methods or strategies, and its topics:technologies that enhance commercial horticulture production, production, harvesting, and postharvest handling of specialty crops, andcyber-physical systems to support precision agriculture.