A team of CTAHR students is merging sustainable agriculture with cutting-edge technology. The newly-launched Ag Innovation Project is tackling the challenges of modern farming through hands-on robotics and smart sensor integration.
Seven students from CTAHR and the College of Engineering set their sights on a common goal: automating indoor lettuce production in the spring of 2026. Under the mentorship of CTAHR faculty Specialist Ryan Kurasaki, the team divided its expertise to address different pillars of high-tech farming.
Robotic Harvesting and AI
The majority of the cohort focused on automating the labor-intensive harvesting process. Utilizing an open-source robotic arm, the students worked to adapt the hardware for hydroponic lettuce collection. The project went beyond simple mechanics, involving:
- Designing and programming a specialized, lightweight gripper to handle delicate greens.
- Training an AI learning policy to “teach” the robot how to identify and harvest produce efficiently.
- Building a dedicated robot training facility to refine the arm’s movements.
Smart Monitoring at Pope Laboratory
While one group focused on the “muscle” of the operation, the rest of the team developed the “brains” behind the greenhouse environment. Working within the Pope Laboratory on the UH Mānoa campus, students implemented a network of wireless sensors for automated monitoring. This system supports ongoing hydroponics lettuce research, ensuring that water quality and environmental conditions remain optimal for growth without the need for constant manual checks.
Scale, Scale, Scale
In the upcoming academic year, the Ag Innovation Project plans to fully integrate the robotic harvesting system and sensor networks into a live greenhouse environment.
The project is offered as a for-credit course through the Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) series at CTAHR, allowing students to work on long-term, large-scale research initiatives. The team is actively looking to expand, inviting students from any major to join the mission in future semesters. For those entering the program, returning students are already prepared to step into leadership roles as peer mentors.