KAUST Develops AI-Powered Robots to Transform Date Palm Farming

A team of researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) is developing an advanced robotic system designed to automate the harvesting of date palms. The initiative aims to position Saudi Arabia as a leader in agricultural innovation while revolutionising the sector through artificial intelligence.

The project, led by KAUST Assistant Professor Shinkyu Park, seeks to enhance key aspects of date farming, including harvesting, pollination, and tree maintenance. By integrating AI-driven robotics, the system is expected to increase efficiency, improve yields, and produce higher-quality dates.

Park’s “robotic farmers” concept combines cutting-edge robotic systems with artificial intelligence to replicate the speed and precision of human labourers. The robotic arms, equipped with high-precision visual sensors, will be capable of identifying individual dates, flowers, and tree structures. This will allow them to harvest fruit, spray pesticides, and prune trees with exceptional accuracy—ensuring healthier trees, greater productivity, and reduced risk of pests and disease.

Field trials are set to begin during the 2025 harvest season, with full deployment anticipated within three years. Park also suggested that a Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) model could make the technology more accessible to smaller farmers by eliminating the need for costly upfront investments.

KAUST’s work in this field is part of a broader effort to advance food security and agricultural expertise in Saudi Arabia. By attracting leading researchers in farming and robotics, the initiative is expected to drive innovation while equipping local workers with new technological skills.

“I am excited that this initiative extends beyond engineering solutions and cultivates research and development opportunities for local talent, contributing to the long-term sustainable educational and economic growth of the Kingdom,” said Park.