S18 - Session O3 - Industry and robotic - Keynote: The Smart Orchard of the Future

Authors: Ines Hanrahan *, Joe Davidson, Lav Khot

In recent years the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission (WTFRC) has focused activities in the past decade on the Smart Orchard concept, fruit harvest automation, and associated novel collaborations to accelerate technology innovation and adoption. These investments in industry priority areas have significantly increased productivity, improved product quality and helped growers remain economically viable in a globally competitive marketplace. We believe it is necessary to increase focus on building and maintaining vibrant public-private partnerships with tree fruit scientists worldwide, along with active involvement of diverse industry members. This approach, in our opinion, empowers the entire industry to shape its own future through innovation.