The state of automation in Norwegian growing
Source: VFD.com
At the same time, the potential for increased automation is significant, particularly through better use of data, sensors, and artificial intelligence. The path forward has two parts: (1) automating the most structured tasks, and (2) developing flexible robotic systems that can handle biological variation.
The latter in particular will require systematic competence development, reduced investment risk, and closer collaboration between technology developers and the industry — an area that the research and support system should prioritize. Aleksander Lillienskiold, Ottar Bakås, & Sven-Vegard Buer (2026).
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/5490552 Source: Norwegian Research Information Repository Frontpage photo: © Yusnizam Yusof | Dreamstime Publication date: Mon 7 Sep 2026 Related Articles → See More US (NM): From school farm to school table Sweden: What do consumers think of hydroponic produce? The state of automation in Norwegian growing Pomona AI wants plant researchers to test more growing conditions at the same time Judge rejects challenge to USDA reorganization How vertical growing affects different basil varieties Using vertical farming to decrease growing's carbon footprint Influence of three nutrient solutions on the yield and quality of leafy vegetables grown hydroponically "Understanding that there's massive potential for CEA within the current system is really important" Integrating IoT into hydroponic saffron cultivation Related Articles US (NM): From school farm to school table Sweden: What do consumers think of hydroponic produce?
Why this matters: For operators, this is a water-management story. The useful signal is that direct substrate measurements can help cut drain loss materially without giving up yield or fruit quality, which is exactly the kind of controllable efficiency gain a facility can build on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does substrate sensing matter in free-drain strawberry systems?
Because drain percentage tells a grower what already happened, while substrate moisture and EC data show root-zone conditions directly. That makes it easier to cut water loss without guessing.
What is the operator takeaway from this trial?
If the thresholds are understood well enough, growers can reduce drain water materially while protecting yield and fruit quality, which makes sensing an operational tool instead of a reporting tool.
